Beijing
12 August 2008
In Beijing, American Michael Phelps has won his third swimming event in as many days, to tie the record for most career Olympic gold medals. Phelps now has nine in his impressive collection. As VOA's Jim Stevenson reports, the U.S. swimmer is nearly certain to surpass that total.
Park Tae-hwan trailed in the American's wake by nearly two full seconds (1:44.85). The South Korean touched the wall while Phelps was already looking at the overhead scoreboard. American Peter Vanderkaay claimed the bronze (1:45.14).
The victory avenged a difficult loss for Phelps at that same 200-meter distance, four years ago in Athens.
"I hate to lose," he said. "And, getting third in the 200-meter freestyle four years ago, you know when I do lose in a race like that, circumstance like that, it motivates me to swim faster."
Michael Phelps, 23, goes for two more gold medals, Wednesday, when he swims in the finals of the 200-meter butterfly and 800-meter freestyle relay. Phelps could haul in as many as eight gold medals in Beijing, which would also make him the most decorated athlete at a single games.