Michael Phelps Sets Olympic Record for Most Medals

Michael Phelps set a new record today for winning the most Olympic medals with his 19th, eclipsing the previous mark held by Cold War-era Russian gymnast Larissa Latynina, CNN reports.

Phelps tied the record this afternoon with a second-place finish in the 200-meter butterfly at the 2012 London Olympics, and broke it when he finished ahead of France's Yannick Agnel as the U.S. men's relay team took the gold in the 4x200 relay.

Phelps' medal total includes 15 gold, two silver and two bronze. He already holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals, as well as the most won in a single games with eight, a feat he achieved in Beijing in 2008. 

While Phelps looked like he was about to take gold in his first race today, South Africa's Chad le Clos beat him in a narrow finish that saw le Clos creep up in the last 25 meters before going stroke-for-stroke with Phelps in the final 10. Le Clos finished with a time of 1:52.96, with Phelps coming in at 1:53.01.