2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

Michael Phelps‘ victory tonight gave him a number of different titles, and while it some ways tonight’s 200 fly final represented the dawning of a youth movement, it also saw a new mark set in terms of “old age.” Michael Phelps, by winning the 200 fly over a field that included 2012 champion Chad LeClos, became the oldest swimmer to ever win an individual Olympic gold medal.

Phelps, who turned 31 last month, competed in his first Olympics almost half his lifetime ago, at the age of 15. He is now his fifth Olympic Games, and his fifth time competing in the 200 fly, and it is seems fitting that it was a victory in this event that gives him this title.

Previously the oldest male to win an individual gold medal was the legendary American swimmer Duke Kahanamoku, who won the 100 free at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp at the age of 30. Kahanamoku ended his career with three Olympic gold medals total, including the 100 free in 1912, and the 4×200 free relay in 1920. Phelps will be going for yet another gold in the 4×200 free relay later this session.

Inge de Bruijin of the Netherlands won a gold medal in the 50 free at the age of 30 in the 2004 Olympics. She had won that event, along with the 100 free and the 100 fly, in 2000. As far as we can tell, she is still the oldest female swimmer to win an individual Olympic gold medal.