Phelps equals Spitz's record (Extra)

Aug 16, 2008, 3:05 GMT

Beijing - The never-ending story of Michael Phelps' record- breaking appearance at the Beijing Olympics continued Saturday as the 23-year-old won the 100m butterfly.

Although - unlike the previous six gold medals he won in the Beijing Water Cube - he did not swim a world record (his time of 50.58 was 0.18 over Ian Crocker's 2005 time), Phelps still made his way into the record books.

Winning his seventh gold medal in Beijing, he equalled the record held by American swimmer Mark Spitz, who in 1972 won the men's 100m and 200m butterfly, the 100m and 200m freestyle as well as the 4x100m and 4x200m freeestyle, and the 4x100m medley relay.

Spitz also won gold in the two freestyle relays in 1968 in Mexico, where he also picked up a silver in the 100m butterfly and a bronze in the 100m freestyle.

In Beijing Phelps has won the 200m and 400m individual medley, the 100m and 200m butterfly, the 200m freestyle and the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays to tie him on Spitz's record of seven.

On Sunday, the last day of the meet, he can go one better as he swims in the final of the 4x100 medley relay.

Phelps also won six gold medals and two bronze in Athens four years ago and now has 13 gold medals to his name making him the most- decorated Olympian in history.