Phelps Breaks Medal Record in Relay

LONDON (Reuters) - Michael Phelps won a record 19th Olympic medal on Tuesday when he joined forces with his U.S. team mates to win the 4x200 meters freestyle relay at London's Aquatic Centre.

Following his shock defeat in the 200 butterfly final an hour earlier, Phelps surpassed Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina as the most decorated Olympian of all time.

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The win provided him with his 15th career gold medal to go with his two silver and two bronze medals.

The Americans were overwhelming favorites to win the relay and the result was never in doubt after Ryan Lochte gave them the lead after the lead-off leg.

Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens kept America's lead by the time Phelps dived in for the anchor leg and he brought them home in a combined time of six minutes, 59.70.

Lochte captured his second gold medal in London after winning the 400 individual medley on the opening day of competition and the fifth of his career.

France, who upset the Americans in the 4x100 freestyle final on Saturday, took the silver medal while China grabbed the bronze after Sun Yang anchored them home.