Michael Phelps wins 19th medal to set Olympic record

United States’ Michael Phelps poses with his medal for the men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

LONDON—Swimming superstar Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history here Tuesday, taking his tally to a record 19 medals as the United States won gold in the 4x200m relay.

Phelps, winner of eight gold medals at the Beijing Games four years ago, moved one clear of Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina who won 18 medals between 1956 and 1964.

Phelps had moved level with Latynina earlier in the evening, bagging his 18th medal in the 200m butterfly final.

Less than one hour later he returned to the pool as the United States romped home in the relay ahead of France in silver and China in third.