Michael Phelps Wins His 22nd Gold Medal in the 200m Individual Medley

RIO DE JANEIRO — Michael Phelps wasn’t about to be stopped. Not even by his biggest rival.

Phelps blew away Ryan Lochte — and everyone else, for that matter — to win his fourth gold medal of the Rio Olympics and 22nd career Olympic gold medal with a victory in the 200-meter individual medley Thursday night.

Phelps also set an Olympic record with his 15th individual medal, passing Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, and became the first swimmer ever to win the same event at four straight Olympics.

“Winning four in a row, when the announcer said that, I had a really hard time holding it together,” Phelps said in a broadcast interview.

“I’m just living a dream come true.”

Phelps was back in the water 38 minutes later to swim in the 100-meter butterfly semifinals. He finished second in the first semifinal and fifth overall to advance to the final, which will be his last individual event.

He said he knew the quick turnaround “was going to be painful,” but added that he’s “gotta step on the gas.”

If Phelps wins gold in the 100 fly, it will be his fourth straight win in the event. Then, he’ll close out these Olympics in the 4×100 medley relay.

The 200 IM was touted as the last showdown between two of America’s greatest swimmers, although there has never been any question about which one has the upper hand.

Phelps left Lochte trailing in his wake. Phelps finished a full body length ahead of the field with total dominance on the breaststroke and freestyle legs, touching in 1 minute, 54.66 seconds.

“This is exactly how I want to exit the sport,” said Phelps, who has called these Olympics his last.