BEIJING (Reuters) - Michael Phelps carved his name among the Olympic greats on Tuesday, smashing another world record in the pool to join Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis in an elite group on a record nine career golds.
An imperious victory in the 200 meters freestyle also gave the 23-year-old American his third gold in Beijing as he seeks to overtake Spitz's other record, seven golds at a single Games.
"The ball's rolling," he said in his usual laid-back style, after carving almost a full second off his own world record. "We just need to keep that ball rolling."
Togo won its first Olympic medal, in kayaking, and North Korea won a rare gold, but the record books will remember Phelps on Tuesday for another powerful performance at the Water Cube.
Phelps joined compatriots Lewis and Spitz, as well as "Flying Finn" distance runner Paavo Nurmi and Soviet gymnast Larysa Latynina with a total of nine golds. He could overtake them all on Wednesday when he swims in two more finals.
"To be tied for the most Olympic golds of all time, with those names in Olympic history ... it is a pretty amazing accomplishment," he said.
Phelps led an American fightback against Chinese dominance of the medal table on day four, the U.S. team winning three out of four golds on offer in the pool.
An imperious victory in the 200 meters freestyle also gave the 23-year-old American his third gold in Beijing as he seeks to overtake Spitz's other record, seven golds at a single Games.
"The ball's rolling," he said in his usual laid-back style, after carving almost a full second off his own world record. "We just need to keep that ball rolling."
Togo won its first Olympic medal, in kayaking, and North Korea won a rare gold, but the record books will remember Phelps on Tuesday for another powerful performance at the Water Cube.
Phelps joined compatriots Lewis and Spitz, as well as "Flying Finn" distance runner Paavo Nurmi and Soviet gymnast Larysa Latynina with a total of nine golds. He could overtake them all on Wednesday when he swims in two more finals.
"To be tied for the most Olympic golds of all time, with those names in Olympic history ... it is a pretty amazing accomplishment," he said.
Phelps led an American fightback against Chinese dominance of the medal table on day four, the U.S. team winning three out of four golds on offer in the pool.
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