Rio 2016: Michael Phelps in three-way tie for silver in 100m Butterfly

Michael Phelps was involved in a three-way tie for the silver medal in the Rio Olympics Men’s 100m Butterfly

Michael Phelps had competed in four finals at the 2016 Rio Olympics and won four golds coming into Friday. The most decorated Olympian of all time was only adding more gold to his resume. However, his toughest race seemed before him on Saturday during Day 7. On Saturday, he would take to the pool for the Men’s 100m Butterfly against not just Chad Le Clos, but also Joseph Schooling.

Unfortunately for Michael Phelps, it became apparent early that he was going to have to do something incredible to win gold. Schooling jumped out to a massive lead in the first 50m. Meanwhile, Phelps wasn’t even in the top-three when they got to the wall to make the turn. Of course, this is still Phelps and he had a move to make in the final 50m.

Phelps indeed started breaking for the young Schooling. However, the up-and-comer from Singapore stayed in his lane and continued to set the pace. Despite Phelps charging, even the greatest ever couldn’t catch Schooling on Friday night. However, two others did catch Phelps as Team USA’s biggest star found himself in a three-way tie for second and the silver medal. Those other two swimmers were Le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh.

Even though it wasn’t another gold, Phelps continued to make history as he won his 29th medal overall. Moreover, history was made, but by Schooling. With the gold, he became the first athlete to earn those honors from Singpore in Olympics history. He’s still got a long way to go to catch Phelps, but that’s a nice bit of history and a nice start for him.

Regardless, Michael Phelps just keeps decorated his neck in Rio. And I’m not sure anyone can make him stop.