Michael Phelps just won his 19th Olympic gold medal

Michael Phelps celebrating his 19th Olympic gold medal in Rio — (Image credit: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

American swimmer Michael Phelps added to his record Olympic medal tally on Sunday night in Rio de Janeiro, winning his 19th gold and 23rd overall Olympic medal, and this one was a group effort. Phelps swam the second leg of the men's 4x100 free relay, helping Team USA complete the race in 3:09.92, half a second ahead of silver medal winner France; Australia got the bronze. Caeleb Dressel swam the first lap for the Americans, with Ryan Held taking the third leg and Nathan Adrian serving as team anchor.

France was leading after the first leg, but not after Phelps completed a preternatural turn. Watch his underwater acrobatics and the final win below. Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.