RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug 12: Michael Phelps and Simone Biles powered their way to more gold medals with rousing routs at the Rio Games on Thursday.
Sauntering to the sounds of Latin music befitting the beaches and boulevards of Rio de Janeiro, Biles soared to the women's all-around gymnastics title.
For Michael Phelps, 6 gold medals seem very much in reach
Phelps was timed in 1 minute 54.66. He won by over a bodylength, and the time was his second-best ever behind a 1:54.23 from Beijing. He held up four fingers afterward to indicate his four consecutive victories in the event, or the four golds he’s won at this Olympics.
Hours later, Phelps blew away rival Ryan Lochte — and everyone else, for that matter — to win his fourth gold medal of the Rio Olympics and 22nd overall with a victory in the 200-meter individual medley.
This was touted as the last showdown between two of America's greatest swimmers, though there's never been any question about which one had the upper hand. Lochte didn't even reach the podium this time, fading to fifth after leading at the midway point.
Phelps had no time to relish his result; he had to return to the pool roughly 30 minutes later for the semifinals of the 100 butterfly, the other event where he is the three-time defending champion.
