The race had been dubbed the end of an era, with Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte swimming the men's 200-meter individual medley against each other for what was expected to be the last time at the Olympics. The race quickly turned into another coronation of Phelps as he absolutely smoked the field for his 22nd career gold medal, fourth straight in this event and fourth gold while in Rio.
Lochte ended up finishing a surprising fifth, which took some of the shine off of the "friendly rivalry" angle the race was supposed to provide. But leave it to Phelps to elevate the drama by merely dominating once again and proving his status as the greatest Olympian of all time.
As expected, Twitter was full of Phelps plaudits and people just losing their minds over just how dominant a swim that was.
.@MichaelPhelps DOMINATES on his way to ANOTHER #GOLD Medal! #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/Mx7XVCq7Es
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 12, 2016
At this point, Michael Phelps might as well just show up to the podium like... pic.twitter.com/NQRGixYr2e
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 12, 2016
Count 'em! 🎉 🎉 🎉 @MichaelPhelps OWNS the 200m IM 4 years running! pic.twitter.com/1mI9X4DIKD
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 12, 2016
Michael Phelps with an amazing impression of Katie Ledecky. pic.twitter.com/hpVcR9pRCX
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) August 12, 2016
Phelps chilling out waiting for someone to get a silver and bronze pic.twitter.com/9Og7qDg1zS
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 12, 2016
Maybe they should change gold medals to the "Michael Phelps Award". pic.twitter.com/kjxXbpu3WP
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 12, 2016
PHELPS. GOLD. AGAIN. #USA
— Mashable (@mashable) August 12, 2016
The Olympic GOAT holds off teammate Ryan Lochte to add another gold to his vault! #Rio2016pic.twitter.com/YgMX2oE5FW
AUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH pic.twitter.com/g2fwhIttxb
— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) August 12, 2016
We might not be witnessing not only the greatest Olympian but maybe the greatest athlete Michael Phelps outstanding again
— MIKE ERUZIONE (@MERUZIONE) August 12, 2016
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 12, 2016
ANOTHER ONE!
— U.S. Olympic Team (@TeamUSA) August 12, 2016
Make that 22 #GOLD medals for @MichaelPhelps! pic.twitter.com/frL3vJxmbn
Raise your arms if you're the GOAT. pic.twitter.com/S1yMWawp3f
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 12, 2016