Michael Phelps Three-Peats In The 200 Individual Medley

Michael Phelps became the first male swimmer to win the same event in three successive Olympics when he held off American teammate Ryan Lochte to win the 200 Individual Medley with a time of 1:54.27, just off Lochte's world record of 1:54 flat. It was a result that, if his reaction immediately afterward tells us anything, was even a shock to Phelps.

It's Phelps's 16th gold medal and brings his total count to 20, and he did it in a race that was classic Phelps—extending himself to an early lead and holding off a surging Lochte and Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, who took bronze.

Or, you know, you could spin it that Lochte choked again, but Phelps was so good I'm at a shortage of snark for the moment.

For a handy master schedule of every Olympic event, click here.