Michael Phelps of the United States of America competes during the men’s 200m butterfly final of swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 9, 2016. Michael Phelps won the gold medal with 1 minute 53.36 seconds. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Michael Phelps qualified fastest for Thursday's 200m individual medley final at the Rio Games as he aims to become the first swimmer to win the same event at four consecutive Olympics.
The 31-year-old clocked 1 minute 58.78 seconds in his semifinal at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Wednesday, to finish ahead of US teammate Ryan Lochte by half a second.
Brazil's Thiago Perreira was third quickest in 1:57.11.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 21 gold medals, has won each of his three finals in Rio so far: the 200m butterfly, the 4x100m freestyle and the 4x200m freestyle.
Al Oerter (discuss) and Carl Lewis (long jump) are the only athletes to have claimed gold in the same event at four Olympics.
Phelps could also perform the feat in the 100m butterfly.
