LONDRES .- Devorador de récords hasta lo último, Michael Phelps alcanzó otro hito: el primer nadador olímpico que gana la misma prueba en tres ediciones consecutivas.

Phelps se consagró en los 200 metros combinados, su primer oro individual en los Juegos de Londres. Un oro que aumentó a 16 la cosecha de títulos olímpicos en su carrera, con un gran total de 20 medallas por vida.

También se sacó una espina al vencer a su némesis Ryan Lochte, quien sufrió dos decepciones en su última presentación en el Centro Acuático.

Phelps se impuso con un tiempo de 1 minuto y 54.27 segundos, a poco del registro con el que salió triunfante en Beijing hace cuatro años.

Lochte, quien ganó el oro en los 400 estilos en la primera jornada de la natación, debió conformarse esta vez con la plata. El húngaro Laszlo Cseh se quedó con el bronce.

Y así las cosas, unos juegos que comenzaron a los tumbos para Phelps ahora lucen brillantes. El estadounidense ya acumula dos preseas de oro y dos de plata en cinco carreras. No será la enorme cosecha que redondeó en China, pero es el broche ideal para coronar una ilustre trayectoria a la que le faltan dos carreras adicionales.

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  • Olympics Day 8 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Gold medallists (L-R) Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt of the United States celebrates on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Women's 4x100m Meldey Relay Final on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 8 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Brendan Hansen and Michael Phelps of the United States embrace as team mate Matthew Grevers watches Nathan Adrian of the United States finish the Men's 4x100m Medley Relay on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 8 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 04: Haruka Ueda of Japan celebrates winning the bronze medal in the Women's 4x100m Medley Relay on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 4, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

  • United States' Michael Phelps, right, and teammate Ryan Lochte watch the score board after their first and second place finish in the men's 200-meter individual medley swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • United States' Michael Phelps, right, and teammate Ryan Lochte watch the score board after their first and second finish in the men's 200-meter individual medley swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • United States' Michael Phelps, right, looks to silver medalist Ryan Lochte of the United States after winning gold in the men's 200-meter individual medley swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

  • United States' Michael Phelps reacts after competing in a in a men's 100-meter butterfly swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

  • Australia's James Magnussen starts in the men's 50-meter freestyle swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • Brazil's Cesar Cielo, right, and United States' Cullen Jones compete in a men's 50-meter freestyle swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Olympics Day 1 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 28: Michael Phelps of the United States reacts after he finished fourth in the Final of the Men's 400m Individual Medleyon Day 1 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • United States' Michael Phelps dives off the starting blocks in the men's 100-meter butterfly swimming race at the 2012 Summer Olympics on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, at the Aquatics Centre in London. (AP Photo/Adam Pretty, Pool)

  • United States' Missy Franklin, center, competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • United States' Rebecca Soni celebrates her gold medal finish in the women's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)

  • United States' Rebecca Soni, left, celebrates winning gold and setting a new world record alongside silver medallist Satomi Suzuki of Japan following the women's 200-meter breaststroke swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. Soni set a new world record with a time of 2:19.59. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

  • United States' Tyler Clary celebrates winning gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

  • United States' Tyler Clary celebrates winning gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

  • United States Michael Phelps competes in the men's 200-meter individual medley swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)

  • Olympics Day 5 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Yi Tang of China waves after she competed in the second semifinal heat of the Women's 100m Freestyle on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 5 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Ryan Lochte of the United States and Ryosuke Irie of Japan compete in the first semifinal heat of the Men's 200m Backstroke on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 5 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Ryan Lochte of the United States competes in the first semifinal heat of the Men's 200m Backstroke on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 5 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Zsuzsanna Jakabos of Hungary reacts after shecompeted in the Final of the Women's 200m Butterfly on Day 5 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on August 1, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

  • Britain's silver Michael Jamieson poses

    Britain's silver Michael Jamieson poses on the podium after the men's 200m breaststroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 1, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)

  • United States' Rebecca Soni reacts to her record-setting finish in the women's 200-meter breaststroke swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • United States' Nathan Adrian celebrates his gold medal win in the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • South Africa's Chad le Clos celebtates his gold medal win in the men's 200-meter butterfly swimming final celebrates as United States' Michael Phelps men's 200-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

  • United States' Michael Phelps, front, and South Africa's Chad le Clos compete in the men's 200-meter butterfly swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Le Clos won gold, Phelps silver. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • Debbie Phelps, mother of United States' swimmer Michael Phelps, center, and his sisters Whiney, right, and Hilary, left, react as they watch swimming competitions at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

  • United States' Allison Schmitt reacts as she wins gold in the women's 200-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

  • United States' Allison Schmitt reacts to her gold medal win in the women's 200-meter freestyle swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, July 31, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

  • Olympics Day 3 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Michael Phelps of the United States reacts after he competed in the second semifinal heat of the Men's 200m Butterflyon Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 3 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Michael Phelps of the United States reacts after he competed in the second semifinal heat of the Men's 200m Butterflyon Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 3 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Michael Phelps of the United States looks on as he prepares to compete in the second semifinal heat of the Men's 200m Butterflyon Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • Olympics Day 3 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: Missy Franklin of the United States celebrates with her gold medal during the medal ceremony for the Women's 100m Backstroke on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • France's Yannick Agnel celebrates winnin

    France's Yannick Agnel celebrates winning gold in the men's 200m freestyle final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 30, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Italy's Federica Pellegrini, right, embraces United States' Missy Franklin after a women's 200-meter freestyle swimming semifinal at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Mexico's Erica Dittmer Cane competes in a women's 200-meter individual medley swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

  • United States' Ariana Kukors competes in a women's 200-meter individual medley swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa De Olza)

  • Spain's Beatriz Gomez Cortes prepares to compete in a women's 200-meter individual medley swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

  • United States' Michael Phelps competes in a men's 200-meter butterfly swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

  • Britain's Hannay Miley, top, China's Ye Shiwen, second from top, and Australia's Stephanie Rice compete in a women's 200-meter individual medley swimming heat at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • US Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte (R) re

    US Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte (R) react after the men's 4 x 100m freestyle relay final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Park on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • US Michael Phelps reacts after the men's

    US Michael Phelps reacts after the men's 4 x 100m freestyle relay final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Park on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • France's Clement Lefert, Amaury Leveaux

    France's Clement Lefert, Amaury Leveaux and Fabien Gilot celebrate after winning the men's 4 x 100m freestyle relay final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Park on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)

  • France's Clement Lefert, Amaury Leveaux

    France's Clement Lefert, Amaury Leveaux and Fabien Gilot celebrate after winning the men's 4 x 100m freestyle relay final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Park on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / CHRISTOPHE SIMON (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages)

  • France's gold medalist Camille Muffat (R

    France's gold medalist Camille Muffat (R) poses on the podium with Britain's bronze medalist Rebecca Adlington (L) after winning the women's 400m freestyle swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL (Photo credit should read LEON NEAL/AFP/GettyImages)

  • PICTURE TAKEN WITH A ROBOTIC CAMERA Sout

    PICTURE TAKEN WITH A ROBOTIC CAMERA South Africa's Cameron Van der Burgh celebrates after breaking the world record in the men's 100m breaststroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT (Photo credit should read FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP/GettyImages)

  • South Africa's Cameron Van der Burgh cel

    South Africa's Cameron Van der Burgh celebrates after breaking the world record the men's 100m breaststroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Olympics Day 2 - Swimming

    LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Bronze medallist Alicia Coutts of Australia poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Womens 100m Butterfly final during the medal ceremony on Day 2 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre on July 29, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

  • South Africa's Cameron Van der Burgh cel

    South Africa's Cameron Van der Burgh celebrates after breaking the world record in the men's 100m breaststroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 29, 2012 in London. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI (Photo credit should read FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Brazil's Thiago Pereira poses with his silver medal for the men's 400-meter individual medley swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Saturday, July 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

Instantes después de superar a Lochte, Phelps se zambulló en la piscina para disputar la semifinal de los 100 mariposa. Se clasificó primero en esa prueba con lo que dejó servida la mesa para un desquite el viernes contra Milorad Cavic, el serbio al cual venció por una centésima de segundo de Beijing y que aún insiste que tocó primero el muro.


Lochte también quiso emular la faena, al buscar un doblete con un paréntesis de 31 minutos. Pero se quedó corto en los dos intentos. Sólo pudo rasguñar un bronce en los 200 espalda, en el que su compatriota estadounidense Tyler Clary se llevó la victoria. La plata fue para el japonés Ryosuke Irie.


La reacción de Phelps no fue un eufórico manoteo al agua. Dibujó una sonrisa atolondrada y una mirada de alivio, absorbiendo el momento de tener un oro individual en Londres tras el que obtuvo en el relevo 4x200 libre.


Lochte estrechó la mano de su rival antes de retirarse por última vez de estos juegos. En un gesto simbólico, arrojó a la tribuna su gorro y lentes protectores tras poner fin a su agenda de competencia en Londres con una suma de dos oros, dos platas, un bronce y un cuarto lugar. Resultados impresionantes, pero sin dudas lejos de alguien que dijo que estos Juegos marcarían "mi época".


Esta época aún tiene dueño: Phelps.


"Ryan ha sido uno de los rivales más difíciles que he tenido, de los más completos", dijo Phelps. "Está saliendo mucha gente".


La otra nota destacada de la noche fue el segundo récord mundial que la estadounidense Rebecca Soni fija en igual número de días en Londres al revalidar su título en los 200 pecho. Cronometró 2:19.59 para quebrar su propia marca de 2:20.00 que estableció en las semifinales.


"Estoy súper contenta, no lo puedo creeer", dijo Soni, quien fue escoltada por la japonesa Satomi Suzuki (a más de un segundo con 2:20.72) y la rusa Yulia Efimova (2:20.92).


Ranomi Kromowidjojo mantuvo la tradición holandesa en la velocidad pura al ganar los 100 libres con un récord olímpico de 53.00 segundos. La bielorrusa Aliaksandra Herasimenia se adjudicó la plata con 53.38, mientras que la china Tang Yi se apropió el bronce con 53.44.

Conoce las virtudes por las cuales Phelps es un ídolo