Joseph Schooling beats Michael Phelps to claim Singapore’s first Olympic gold

The 200m individual medley IM has always been his strength, but for the first time in his Olympic career, the American failed to win a medal, finishing fifth even though Phelps again took the gold. Joseph Schooling, 21, of Singapore got off to a blistering start and built a lead that not even Phelps could overcome.

Despite winning four golds in London in 2012, Phelps has said he was dissatisfied with his preparation and results there and wants to bow out on his own terms. “I’m just honored and privileged to have the chance to race alongside him”.

The frenetic finishes in the swimming pool capped a day that included a big escape by the USA men’s basketball team and a stunning loss by the women’s soccer squad.

The American swimming legend has already dominated in the pool in Rio, picking up four gold medals to give him 23 in total. “I think so. I really think so”.

Phelps, who will be 35 in 2020, closed the door right after stepping down from the podium.

Schooling was in a state of disbelief when he spoke to reporters soon afterwards.

Either Drysdale or Synek has won gold at every world championship or Olympics since 2009.

His feat at the Olympic Aquatic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ended a wait that had begun since Neo Chee Kwok became the first swimmer to represent Singapore at an Olympics in the 1952 Helsinki Games.

Monica Puig, of Puerto Rico, celebrates after defeating Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic, during their semi-final round match at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.

Sweden coach Pia Sundhage, who coached the US team to Olympic gold medals in Beijing and London, quipped: “It’s OK to be a coward if you win”.

The win for Phelps left him with 13 medals for individual events, a record that has not been broken since 152 B.C.by Leonidas of Rhodes. Great Britain won the silver while Japan took home the bronze.

Ervin retired from swimming in 2003, aged 22, and spent time drinking and taking recreational drugs – as chronicled in his book. He will now have just two races left, and viewers will be able to watch live online as Michael Phelps aims for two more gold medals (links to streaming video can be found below). “I think there are some pressures that come with being a professional swimmer, and I don’t think I am ready for that”. I told him, ‘Four more years?’ and he said, ‘No way.’ If he changes his mind, that would be fun. “I actually got to meet his family on my way down. You might be pretty good at it”. She also won gold in 800 free relay and silver in 400 free relay. Biles outscored her nearest competitor, teammate Aly Raisman, by a mammoth margin of over 2 points.

This is goodbye for Michael Phelps. “Can’t complain too much”, he said.

Now that is big, like Texas.

“In many ways I felt I let a lot of people down by not winning”.