It’s been an unforgettable week for OMEGA’s swimming ambassadors: Chad Le Clos took gold in the 200-metre butterfly and Michael Phelps became the greatest Olympian of all time!
In a hard-fought battle between two of OMEGA’s swimming brand ambassadors, Chad Le Clos defeated Michael Phelps by five-hundredths of a second in the 200-metre butterfly at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Interviewed following the race, Le Clos, a 20-year-old South African, expressed his astonishment at the result. “Michael is my hero,” he said, “and I really can’t believe I won.”
For Michael Phelps, the silver medal in the 200-metre butterfly also marked a milestone: it tied him with former Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 18 medals.
The evening, however, wasn’t over for Michael Phelps and Chad Le Clos. Less than an hour after the 200-metre butterfly, they both competed in the 4 x 200 metre freestyle relay. This time, there was a different result for Phelps.
No more debate: Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all time.
Michael Phelps anchored the American relay team and there was never any doubt about the outcome: at the end of the race, Phelps and his American colleagues had claimed the gold. It was Michael Phelps’s 19th Olympic medal – a total that includes 15 gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
After winning the gold medal, Michael Phelps was interviewed about his evening. Concerning the 200-metre butterfly he said, “Things didn’t go quite the way I’d hoped but I’ve gotten to know Chad in the past year and I’m truly happy for him. He’s a great swimmer and a great guy. And I can’t be too disappointed about the evening.”
This was clearly an understatement for the swimming superstar who so far at the London 2012 Olympic Games has won a gold and two silver medals.
OMEGA is the Official Timekeeper of the London 2012 Olympic Games. It first assumed the responsibilities in 1932 and the edition in London marks the 25th time the brand has placed its timekeeping expertise at the service of the International Olympic Committee and the world’s most talented athletes.
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