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Daniel Ochoa De Olza / AP
United States' Conor Dwyer, left, Ryan Lochte, center, and Ricky Berens, right, celebrate as Michael Phelps closes in on their team's gold medal win in the men's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, on July 31.
Lee Jin-man / AP
United States' Michael Phelps dives in to start the last leg of the men's 4 X 200-meter freestyle relay before their gold medal win at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, on July 31.
Michael Dalder / Reuters
Michael Phelps of the U.S. holds his 19th Olympic medal presented to him in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay victory ceremony during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre, on July 31.
Reuters -- Four years after he climbed to the top of Olympic achievement, Michael Phelps took the last step he needed to reach the absolute peak.
The greatest swimmer of all time became the most decorated Olympian of all time when he won a record 19th Olympic medal at the London Games on Tuesday.
With a little help from his American friends, Phelps won his first gold medal in London in the 4x200 meters freestyle less than an hour after a shock defeat in the 200 butterfly, an event he has dominated for over a decade.
Related links:
- Slideshow: London 2012: Emotional moments
- Slideshow: The city of London
- Slideshow: Olympic torch carries the flame to London 2012
- Slideshow: Venues for London 2012 Olympic Games
Matt Slocum / AP
United States' Ricky Berens, left, and United States' Michael Phelps react as they win gold in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, on July 31.
Lee Jin-man / AP
United States swim team members, from left, Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps walk with a U.S. flag after being awarded the gold medal for their win in the men's 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, on July 31.