Phelps on track to break 2000-year-old Olympic record

Michael Phelps looks set to become the greatest Olympian in history when he returns to the pool in Rio after his latest gold medal win tied him with a record set more than 2000 years ago.

The US swimmer’s nail-biting win yesterday over Chad Le Clos for his 12th individual gold saw him tie with runner Leonidas of Rhodes, the Washington Post reports.

Leonidas (portrayed below in a statue) has held the record of most Olympic titles in recorded history ever since competing in four successive Olympics from 164 to 152 BC.

Unlike Phelps, who has collected his tally of medals from five different events, Leonidas ruled just three and did so without the help of a multi-national sponsor or any clothing.

He did, strangely enough, have to wear helmet, leg armour and carry a shield, the newspaper reports.

The athlete from Baltimore will have the chance to surpass Leonidas’ record when he swims the 200 individual medley race this week.