Olympics’ most decorated athlete: Phelps wins 22nd gold

RIO DE JANEIRO—Michael Phelps seized another slice of Olympic history Thursday with a dominant victory in the 200m individual medley at the Rio Games, his fourth straight in the event.

Phelps became the third Olympian to win the same individual event at four straight Games, joining discus thrower Al Oerter and Carl Lewis in the long jump in achieving the feat.

Lurking in second until the end of the breaststroke third leg, he surged home on the closing freestyle lap to win in 1min 54.66sec.

That was almost two seconds in front of silver medalist Kosuke Hagino of Japan, the 400m individual medley champion who powered from fifth at the final wall to touch in 1:56.61.

China’s Wang Shun was third in 1:57.05.

Phelps’ old foe Ryan Lochte led at the halfway point, but the world record-holder in the event couldn’t hang on and finished fifth.

Brazilian contender Thiago Pereira, buoyed by an ecstatic crowd, led after the opening butterfly lap and was equal second at the halfway point, but faded to finish seventh.

Phelps claimed his 22nd Olympic gold medal and his fourth at the Rio Olympics.

The most decorated Olympian of all time was back in the pool later on Thursday in the 100m butterfly semi-finals.

source: sports.inquirer.net

'Facebook me!' Chong Wei invites fans to wedding

Anyone who wants to attend the wedding of Malaysian badminton Olympian Lee Chong Wei could be one of 10 lucky fans winning invitations by posting on his Facebook page.

The Olympic silver medallist is getting hitched to sweetheart Wong Mew Choo on Nov. 9 and the chosen few will be able to rub shoulders with celebrities and government dignitaries, local media reported.

The competition, likely to trigger some feverish online traffic, begins on Sunday and closes on Nov. 5, Chong Wei's press office said.

Hopefuls, who must first click 'like' under Chong Wei's fan page, are invited to explain why they wish to attend the wedding reception at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

"The 10 best comments will be picked by Chong Wei and his would be wife Wong Mew Choo, based on creativity," Sachi Choo of Chong Wei's agency told the Bernama news agency.

Results will be announced on Nov. 6 and will be of some interest to officials from the Prime Minister's office, Health and Trade Ministries, who have confirmed their attendance. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com