Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Michael Phelps finishes second again for 18th Olympic medal

Michael Phelps 200 butterfly

Matt Slocum / AP

United States’ Michael Phelps, front, and South Africa’s Chad le Clos compete in the men’s 200-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Le Clos won gold, Phelps silver.

Michael Phelps: 200 meter butterfly

United States' Michael Phelps at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) Launch slideshow »

LONDON — Michael Phelps has won a record-tying 18th Olympic medal, taking silver in the 200-meter butterfly.

The winningest Olympian ever is still looking for his first gold of the London Games, getting out-touched at the wall by South Africa's Chad le Clos. Phelps flipped away his cap in disgust when he saw a "2'' beside his name, knowing he had blown it at the end by trying to glide to the wall instead of taking one more stroke.

Le Clos won in a time of 1 minute, 52.96 seconds. Phelps finished in 1:53.01, while Japan's Takeshi Matsuda took the bronze in 1:53.21.

Despite the disappointment, Phelps tied Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina as the career leader with 18 medals.

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