Michael Phelps Wins Gold In 100-Meter Butterfly, Notches Second Olympics Three-Peat (PHOTOS)

Remember when Michael Phelps was yesterday's Olympian? He'll be the subject of headlines tomorrow morning in London and around the world after adding yet another historic gold medal to his resume in the 100-meter butterfly final.

In the last individual race of his career, Phelps surged from the back of the field in the final 50 meters to claim gold in 51.21 seconds. Chad Le Clos of South Africa and Evgeny Korotyshkin of Russia finished in 51.44 seconds to tie for silver.

"I'm just happy that the last one was a win," Phelps told reporters after the race. "That's all I really wanted coming into the night."

Having also won gold in the 100-meter fly in 2004 and 2008, Phelps now has accomplished a pair of three-peats during the London 2012 Olympics. A day before winning the 100-meter fly in thrilling come-from-behind fashion, Phelps bested teammate Ryan Lochte for gold in the 200-meter individual medley. That triumph established Phelps as the first male swimmer to win the same individual event in three consecutive Olympics. With his 100-meter fly win, he's pulled the trick twice.

"He didn't have it on his goal sheet, but for me that was important," Phelps' coach Bob Bowman said of the three-peat. "I always wanted him to do three just because that was cool."

If one unprecedented treble was "cool" then what is there to say about two?

For U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin, the word that came to mind was "possible."

After breaking a world record en route to a gold medal in the women's 200-meter backstroke, the 17-year-old Franklin spoke about the impact of Phelps' success on his fellow swimmers.

"He helped people kind of re-think the impossible," said Franklin, via Nicole Auerbach of USA Today

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

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• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps reacts to his gold medal win in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin smiles after winning the gold in the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Cate Campbell

  Australia's Cate Campbell stretches before a women's 50-meter freestyle swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Connor Jaeger

  United States' Connor Jaeger competes in a 1500-meter freestyle swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Cullen Jones

  United States' Cullen Jones reaches the wall ahead of Germany's Marco di Carli, right, and Japan's Takuro Fujii in the men's 4 x 100-meter medley relay at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Swimming

  Swimmers take the start of the men's 4 x 100-meter relay heats during the swimming event at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in London.

• Rebecca Adlington

  British athletes wear masks of Britain's Rebecca Adlington as they wait for the start of the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin, left, and compatriot Elizabeth Beisel celebrate after their first and third place finishes in the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps take the start in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps, right, celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final, as South Africa's Chad le Clos stands beside him at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin starts in the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. Franklin won a gold medal in the event.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin reacts to her gold medal win in the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Rebecca Adlington

  Britain's Rebecca Adlington competes in the women's 800-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps, right, and South Africa's Chad le Clos react to their scores in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. Phelps won a gold medal in the event, le Clos won a silver medal.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps, top, celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final, with United States' Tyler McGill beside him at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps, left, leads South Africa's Chad le Clos during the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps celebrates after winning gold in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps celebrates after winning gold in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin, left, and teammate Elizabeth Beisel celebrate their first and third place wins in the women's 200-meter backstroke finalat the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Michael Phelps touches the wall as South Africa's Chad le Clos closes in for second place during the men's 100-meter butterfly final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin gestures after receiving the gold medal for the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Florent Manadou

  France's Florent Manadou celebrates after finishing first in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Anastasia Zueva

  From left, Russia's Anastasia Zueva, silver, United States' Missy Franklin, gold, United States' Elizabeth Beisel, bronze, pose with their medals on the podium after theue win in the women's 200-meter backstroke at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Florent Manadou

  France's Florent Manadou reacts to his gold medal win in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Missy Franklin

  United States' Missy Franklin holds her gold medal in the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps puts on his gold medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Katie Ledecky

  United States' Katie Ledecky swims out of the pool after winning the women's 200-meter backstroke final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps swims out of the pool after winning gold in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  South Africa's silver medalist Chad le Clos, left, United States' gold medalist Michael Phelps, center, and Russia's silver medalist Evegnu Korotyshkin pose on the podium after their wins the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Katie Ledecky

  United States' Katie Ledecky competes in the women's 800-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps puts on his gold medal after his win in the 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  Russia's silver medalist Evegnu Korotyshkin, left, United States' gold medalist Michael Phelps, center,and South Africa's silver medalist Chad le Clos, right, pose at the podium following their wins in the men's 100-meter butterfly at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  South Africa's Chad le Clos, top, and United States' Michael Phelps take the start in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps concentrates before the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012. Phelps won the gold.

• Michael Phelps

  United States' Michael Phelps is seen on a large display as he stands for the U.S. national anthem after he was presented with a gold medal in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

After getting his London Games off to a slow start with a fourth-place finish in the 400-meter individual medley and a team silver in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, Phelps has reasserted himself as one of the dominant stories of the Olympics. With a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps tied Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina with 18 career Olympics medals. It didn't take long for him to move into sole possession of the top spot on the all-time list. Since le Clos narrowly edged Phelps for gold in that race, the 27-year-old Maryland native has added gold medals in the men's 4x200-meter relay, the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter fly. With one last event remaining on his program -- the 4x100-meter medley relay final -- Phelps has a lifetime tally of 17 gold medals and 21 overall.

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Comments

[askido351]

12:57 PM on 08/05/2012

A host of Athletes, including the little Chinese girl have been accused of Doping but I've never heard anyone accusing Michael Phelps. Why?

[mfloeter]

11:25 AM on 08/06/2012

Because his performance has been consistent since he was 15 years old. Twelve years of consistent performance, with none of the physical signs of doping (facial acne, suddenly bulked up muscles, etc.) make it pretty obvious that he's not doping. I think questions arose about the Chinese swimmer when she swam faster than the male counterpart in the same race, which is unheard of. That, coupled with a history of the Chinese taking liberties with Olympic rules (age restrictions, etc.) made officials wonder if this was another case of them doing whatever they could to win, whether it was "legal" or not.

[askido351]

01:14 PM on 08/06/2012

Lets deal with Facts mate. There's no evidence of doping on this girl. Could she just be great? or only western swimmers can be great?

[HopeWFaith]

12:38 PM on 08/05/2012

Michael, you rock! Congrats and keep on making efforts to help other American swimmers do their best, as you take on new paths of life. Never give up, no matter what the path you choose. Very proud of you and your mom and family. God bless.

[reflexshun]

12:09 PM on 08/05/2012

Phelps has been know to partake in medicinal herb. Now he's earned the right to do the harder stuff and get totally wasted for the rest of his life. He's a lucky guy!

[cathydoubles]

06:02 AM on 08/05/2012

A great player

[MyTake]

08:47 PM on 08/04/2012

Congrats.

It is nice to see a person develop a humble maturity to complete his career.

[Know-some-secrets]

06:28 PM on 08/04/2012

Congratulations to Michael Phelps and his big corporate sponsors. Let's hope he can now add millions to his millions in endorsements, and make a bundle for those who own him

Now that he has finished his Olympic career, maybe there can be more focus and support for the swimmers who come next, several of whom had no opportunity to participate in the Olympics because mega-gold, corporate owned, pot smoking Mr. Phelps displaced them

Cheers for the great medal winner that corporate millions produced. Next?

[Toosweet4U]

09:23 PM on 08/04/2012

why are you such a jealous hater? If he wasnt the best and fastest he wouldnt have been there so get a life. If you new anything about the Olympics you would know about a thing called Olympic qualifiers that are held in the USA before said Olympics. What you think they gave the other guys heavier swimsuits? Phelps is the best, and he did a great job representing the USA.

[NAMU2010]

09:30 PM on 08/04/2012

Mega Gold, corporate owned, pot smoking Mr. Phelps can swin faster that those he displaced. It's not grade school soccer, where everyone gets to play and gets a trophy.

[Know-some-secrets]

06:33 AM on 08/05/2012

yep, we knew Phelps was the fastest in the world four years ago.  No one said everybody gets a trophy.  Participating in the Olympics used to be the crowning achievement for amateur athletes, representing their nation, and engaged in sportsmanship.  It turned into major commercial hype. 

[mfloeter]

11:34 AM on 08/06/2012

Exactly. He went through all the qualifiers, excelled, and was chosen for the Olympic team based on his performance. He's not "owned" by his sponsors. He's reaping the rewards of his remarkable skill and fortitude offered to him in a capitalist free market. Good for him!

[emmies ny]

04:48 PM on 08/04/2012

I'm so glad he's on our side :) I love watching him.....Gooooo Aquaman!

[doorlie]

04:40 PM on 08/04/2012

Bong hits for Michael.

[Lucas Prater]

01:59 PM on 08/04/2012

"Phelps Dominates Puny Humans In Last Race of Career," -When asked what he plans to do with his retirement he said, "I plan to rejoin my family in Atlantis."

[SamiSam]

02:32 PM on 08/04/2012

That reminds me of a quote one Russian swimmer gave about Phelps. He basically said that MP was a just a regular guy. He's a regular guy from another planet from another galaxy. I must agree.

[Collin Lowry]

01:22 PM on 08/04/2012

The difference between Michael and Other Olympians is that he has 34 chances to win a gold medal, while they only have around 1 to 3.

[Giglawyer]

01:25 PM on 08/04/2012

And yet, even those who have the chance to win 1 to 3 often don't.

[Collin Lowry]

01:34 PM on 08/04/2012

Micheal did pretty bad considering his past medal hauls. That clearly shows that these events are mostly fickle, and everyone here is roughly the same skill. It is tiny variables that bring home a gold medal. No one is diminishing his accomplishments, I can't get a gold medal in swimming. But to continue to create news buzz around him as if he is some sort of Olympic God is crazy. In fact, I think such media behavior diminishes OTHER athletes accomplishments. Just look at this, 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multiple_Olympic_gold_medalists What is the common theme here? Almost all of the people who have the most medals participate in gymnastics and swimming. Are we to believe then that gymnastic and swimming athletes are just superior to all the rest?

[Know-some-secrets]

06:30 PM on 08/04/2012

and several million corporate dollars invested in him. He's a pawn.

[doris french]

12:53 PM on 08/04/2012

Yey Phelps! Gonna get CAPPED! and i'm gonna be the next winner! http://amzn.to/MFd3ik

[joemartin1296]

12:46 PM on 08/04/2012

What's the big deal about Michael Phelps? Let's remember -- he didn't win all those medals, someone else did. After all, he swam in public pools, built by state employees using tax dollars. He got training from the USOC, and ate food grown by the Department of Agriculture. He should play fair and share his medals with people like you and I. We could probably swim fast too if we wanted. I'm sure he is just luckier than we are, just like successful business owners.

Right?

We are all responsible for Michael Phelps' success... where are our medals, Barack?

[louienclarke]

12:53 PM on 08/04/2012

Troll. Same comment, different day. Boring.

[HGS111]

01:46 PM on 08/04/2012

I think you may be spending a little to much time at the crazy end of the radio dial. This is the Olympics ... no whining allowed here.

[vocalize]

12:42 PM on 08/04/2012

This guy is truely real and inspiring! Way to score some Olympic Gold and Silver Phelps!

I love this article about him....

http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-07-09/michael-phelps-on-marijuana-scandal-25-pound-weight-gain-i-wasnt-motivated/

[Know-some-secrets]

06:31 PM on 08/04/2012

real? corporations made him and own him. sad commentary on the Olympics.

[vocalize]

10:36 PM on 08/04/2012

What is wrong with sponsors? If your good enough to have them to help with whatever, promoting,trainers, training pools ect why not. Its his talent! and yes real, he is an ordinary guy living extraordinary circumstances....gets demotivated, smoked pot...its not good a but a mistake, just the same of the rest of us make them,put on weight while he was...I dont know maybe a little depressed...using the term loosly. you must have reached great goals you set for yourself with out anyone on your side..good for you. right now, Im my kids sponsor and proud of it! :)

[ILB]

11:42 PM on 08/04/2012

"Own him" ??

How do you figure that, champ?

You keep babbling this line, yet you don't elaborate.

Spit it out already...otherwise, enough.

[Boopsie2008]

12:17 PM on 08/04/2012

My three heroes of the day: Harry Reid, Michael Phelps, and "Blade Runner" Pistorius, the South African Olympian double-amputee who just qualified for the semi-finals in the 400-meter race.

[Know-some-secrets]

06:33 PM on 08/04/2012

great accomplishments that corporations made, own and profit from. What happened to the Olympics and AMATEUR athletes... just saying.

[Boopsie2008]

06:52 PM on 08/04/2012

Is this just sour grapes or can you document that corporations "own" these athletes?

[Danny Dan]

12:06 PM on 08/04/2012

A living legend and exotic fish in the sea.
Congrats and what a gold medal rack to boot....