US swimmer Michael Phelps became the most successful Olympian ever when the United States won the gold medal in the men's 4x200 metres freestyle relay at the London Games on Tuesday, winning the 19th medal of his career.
Phelps, 27, equalled Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina's haul of 18 medals earlier when he won silver in the men's 200 butterfly final. He swum the anchor leg in the relay.
He previously set the record for gold medals, winning six in Athens in 2004 and an unprecedented eight in Beijing four years ago. The relay victory was his first gold in London.
France took the silver in the relay, while China won the bronze.
The previous record was 18 Olympic medals, held by 1950s Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.
