Michael Phelps has just won his 19th Olympic medal (15th olympic gold medal) as he swam the last leg of the 4 by 200 freestyle swimming relay at the London 2012 Olympics. He won 6 gold and 2 bronze in Athens 2004 and 8 gold in Beijing 2008 but so far has only won 2 silver and 1 gold at the current olympics.

Phelps overtakes Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina who won 18 medals in total between 1956 and 1964. He (Phelps) has previously been compared to olympic greats like Mark Spitz (swimming- won 9 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze in total) and Carl Lewis (track and field- won 9 gold and 1 silver in total).

Phelps has now won more medals at the olympics than anyone else since 1894. It's anyone's guess when and where Phelps record will be broken.