Just because Michael Phelps, 27, is allegedly about to retire doesn't mean that he's going to go without a splash. Phelps, who surpassed Larissa Latynina's 18-medal record since 1964 earlier this week by winning his 19th gold medal for Team USA in the men's 4×200 relay, ended up topping his own record Thursday night, when he beat out Ryan Lochte, 28, in the 200m individual medley event, topping Lochte's 1:54:90 by a fraction of a second and ending up with a final speed of 1:54: 27.
"To be able to win the gold medal and be the first to threepeat, it means something," Phelps said, referring to the fact that the medal marked his third gold victory in the event, reports CBS Sports. "It's pretty special and something that I'm very happy for."
Lochte has more to contend with right now, however, than coming in second to Phelps. Recently his mother, Ike Lochte, told NBC's Today that Lochte "goes out on one-night stands. He's not able to give fully to a relationship because he's always on the go."
More recently, however, Ike clarified that she was referring to her son going on dates — not having sex. "How innocent is that?" Ike told USA Today. "All I wanted to say is that he's so sensitive about not wanting to hurt a girl dating, so he just goes and dates and takes out a girl for maybe one or two dates and doesn't have a relationship because he doesn't have [time] and it's not fair to the women," she explained.
Phelps has two more events he will compete in before he throws in the Olympic towel forever — the 100m butterfly individual on Friday and the 400m medley relay on Saturday, meaning, if he places in both, he could leave the Olympics and his entire swimming career with a completely unprecedented, and perhaps unbeatable, 22 medals.
For more on Michael Phelps and the 2012 London Olympics:
Michael Phelps Breaks Record For Most Olympic Medals Of All Time
The Phelps Family Reflects On Michael Phelps' Olympic Career
Michael Phelps To Retire After London Games
Double Amputee 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius Blazing A Trail For South Africa
Ryan Lochte Beats Michael Phelps At World Championships
Michael Phelps Makes A Splash In Vegas
Jeneba Tarmoh Drops Out Of Runoff Against Allyson Felix
EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympics Swimmer Brendan Hansen Lost His Olympic Gold Medal
REVIEW: 'No Limits' by Michael Phelps
EXCLUSIVE: Olympic Gymnast Jonathan Horton Talks His Competition Day Routine
Daniel Craig To Open Olympics At Buckingham Palace
Uinterview | News: Lolo Jones Qualifies For London Olympic Games
Uinterview | News: LISTEN: Muse Song 'Survival' Chosen As Official Song For London Games
U.S. Olympic Swimmer & Aurora, Colorado Native Missy Franklin On Winning Gold: 'Pinch Me'
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