Today in history: Michael Phelps breaks the record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics.

 

In 2012, at the London Summer Olympics, American swimmer Michael Phelps made history by becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. He surpassed the long-standing record of 18 Olympic medals set by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina in the 1960s. Phelps broke the record on July 31, 2012, after winning gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, which brought his total medal count to 19, 15 of them gold. This moment was particularly significant because Latynina’s record had stood for nearly half a century, and many thought it was untouchable.

In 2012, at the London Summer Olympics, American swimmer Michael Phelps made history by becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. He surpassed the long-standing record of 18 Olympic medals set by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina in the 1960s. Phelps broke the record on July 31, 2012, after winning gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, which brought his total medal count to 19, 15 of them gold. This moment was particularly significant because Latynina’s record had stood for nearly half a century, and many thought it was untouchable.

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Phelps had already been considered a swimming legend after his unprecedented 8 gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but his performance in London solidified his place in Olympic history. By the time he retired (officially after the 2016 Rio Games), he had amassed a total of 28 Olympic medals, 23 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze, a record unlikely to be broken any time soon. His dominance across multiple Olympic Games and swimming events redefined what was possible for an athlete on the world stage and inspired a new generation of swimmers globally.

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