"With his 12th individual Olympic title Michael Phelps equal the all time Olympic record set by Leonidas of Rhodes in 152 BC, 2,168-year-old years ago.
Leonidas of Rhodes won 12 titles in the second century B.C. A renowned runner, Leonidas won three events -- the stadion, a sprint; the diaulos, a longer run; the hoplitodromos, a run performed while wearing armor -- in four straight Olympiads. He is believed to have won more Olympic titles than anybody at the ancient Olympic games.
If we're being technical, Phelps is alone with the record for most gold medals -- they didn't give out gold medals at the ancient Olympics, instead giving athletes a crown of olive leaves. He'll pass Leonidas for most Olympic titles (medals or wreaths) if he wins either of his two other individual events, the 100-meter butterfly and the 200-meter individual medley."
