Michael Phelps, looking like the dominating uber-Phelps of four years ago, won the 200-meter individual medley Thursday at the London Olympics.
Phelps took Round 2 of his duel with fellow American Ryan Lochte, establishing a lead in the first leg at the Aquatics Centre and never let it go in winning the event for the third consecutive time at the Olympics. His time was 1 minute, 54.27 seconds. He now has 20 Olympic medals and could potentially win two more by the end of the London Games.
"Look, it is extraordinary," said swim legend Ian Thorpe, who is commentating for the BBC.
PHOTOS: 2012 London Olympics, Day 6
Phelps' winning margin over Lochte, who won the silver medal, was 0.63 seconds.
Lochte, who had won Round 1 against Phelps in the 400-meter individual medley on Saturday, finished in 1:54.90. Veteran Laszlo Cseh of Hungary won the bronze medal in a time of 1:56.22.
Phelps had defeated Lochte at this event in the U.S. Olympic trials earlier this summer, and Lochte was coming off a difficult double on Thursday night, having competed in the 200-meter backstroke less than 30 minutes before the 200-meter individual medley.
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