Phelps prepares to compete in the men's 200m butterfly semifinals during the London Olympics. Photo by Rob Schumacher/USA TODAY Sports
LONDON - For Michael Phelps, Beijing was about perfection - and London is about history.
Phelps won silver in the 200 butterfly and capped off the night by winning gold in the 4x200 freestyle relay in the London Games on Tuesday.
In the relay, Phelps had more than a two second lead when he took over as the anchor. The Americans won in 6:59.70, more than three seconds faster than runner-up France. Ryan Lochte swam the leadoff leg, followed by Conor Dwyer andRicky Berens.
In the 200 fly, Phelps finished 05. seconds behind South Africa's Chad le Clos, who shouted and slapped the water in celebration. Le Clos won in 1:52.96, pulling ahead of Phelps in the final meters.
Tuesday's 200 fly race was eerily similar to the 100 fly race four years ago in Beijing, when Phelps barely edged Milorad Cavic, getting to the touchpad just .01 seconds ahead of the Serbian swimmer.