Phelps wins Lochte battle; U.S. takes 3 swimming golds

U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps on the podium after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley in the London Olympics on Thursday, August 2.

Phelps, center, dives next to U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte, top, and Japan's Kosuke Hagino at the start of the 200-meter individual medley.

Phelps, who will retire after the Olympics, made history this week when he became the Olympian with the most medals. He earned his 20th in the individual medley event.

Phelps led from the first leg of the butterfly, his specialty, until he touched the wall more than a half-second ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte.

Phelps reacts to winning gold in the 200-meter Individual medley.

Phelps bested Lochte, right, on Thursday to win the gold in their second head-to-head race. Over the weekend Lochte took gold in the 400-meter individual while Phelps could only manage fourth.

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas celebrates on the podium after winning the gymnastics women's individual all-around final on Thursday.

American Gabrielle Douglas performs in front of the judges during her the individual all-around gymnastics final on Thursday.

Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs in the floor exercise at the North Greenwich Arena.

Douglas waves to the crowd after winning the gold medal.

American Kayla Harrison reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in women's judo on Thursday.

American Kayla Harrison, in white, and Gemma Gibbons of Britain compete in women's judo on Thursday.

Kayla Harrison, in white, and Britain's Gemma Gibbons fight for first place.

United States' Kayla Harrison reacts after winning the match.

From left, Britain's silver medalist Gemma Gibbons, United States' gold medalist Kayla Harrison, Brazil's bronze medalist Mayra Aguiar, and France's bronze medalist Audrey Tcheumeo, pose on the podium after the women's judo competition.

Members of the U.S. rowing team celebrate with their gold medals during the medal ceremony after the women's eight final at Eton Dorney in Windsor, England.

The U.S. team poses on their boat after winning their gold medals.

Americans Zsuzsanna Francia and Esther Lofgren celebrate first place.

Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, the silver medal-winning Canadian team and the bronze medal-winning Dutch team line up during the medal ceremony.

U.S. team hug after receiving their gold medals during the medal ceremony.

Wearing their gold medals, members of the U.S. team celebrate in their boat.

The U.S. team throws their cox Mary Whipple into the water after their big win.

A member of the U.S. team wears an Uncle Sam getup after she and her teammates won the gold medal in the women's eight rowing final.

U.S. gold medalists, from left, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland and Missy Franklin celebrate on the podium after winning the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday.

Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

From left, Shannon Vreeland, Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin watch teammate Allison Schmitt finish first to win the relay.

The U.S. team celebrates after winning the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.

The U.S. women's swim team reacts to their victory over Australia.

At left, Shannon Vreeland, Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt and Dana Vollmer of the United States celebrate next to the Australian team.

Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt celebrate on the podium after taking the gold in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wedesnday. It was the United States' eighth gold in swimming.

U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian poses on the podium after the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming event on Wednesday.

American swimmer Nathan Adrian celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final.

From left, silver medalist James Magnussen of Australia, gold medalist Nathan Adrian of the United States and Brent Hayden of Canada stand with their medals on the podium during the medal cermony for the men's 100-meter freestyle final.

U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian celebrates after his win.

U.S. swimmer Nathan Adrian reacts after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle.

American swimmer Nathan Adrian raises his hands in triumph.

Cyclist Kristin Armstrong celebrates winning a gold medal in the Olympic cycling time trial on Wednesday. She also won the medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Armstrong pushes ahead Wednesday during the women's individual time trial road cycling event.

Armstrong celebrates the gold with her son, Lucas, during the medal ceremony.

Armstrong is victorious in London.

From left, gold medallists Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final on Tuesday.

U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, center, Conor Dwyer, left, Ricky Berens, right, and Michael Phelps, in the water, react after their win.

American Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final.

Michael Phelps set an Olympic record with his 19th lifetime medal.

Gold medalist U.S. swimmer Allison Schmitt stands on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final.

American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrates after winning the 200-meter freestyle final.

Gold medalist Allison Schmitt poses with her medal.

Allison Schmitt celebrates in the water after winning the gold.

Allison Schmitt, left, is congratulated by Bronte Barratt of Australia after her win.

Gold medalist Allison Schmitt, center, silver medalist Camille Muffat of France, right, and bronze medalist Bronte Barratt of Australia smile on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final on Tuesday.

From left, gold medalist U.S. team McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber celebrate their gold medal in the women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday. They won the United States' seventh gold medal.

The gold medal hangs from the Olympian's neck.

American Kyla Ross and coach Jenny Zhang hug during the women's gymnastics team final Tuesday.

U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the beam during the women's team final of the gymnastics event.

U.S. women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrates with his team after they won the gold in the team competition Tuesday.

American Alexandra Raisman competes on the balance beam Tuesday.

Vincent Hancock shows off his gold medal in men's skeet shooting Tuesday.

Hancock aims during the men's skeet shooting qualification round Tuesday at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. The U.S. Army sergeant also won a gold medal in the 2008 Bejing Olympics.

U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin celebrates winning the women's 100-meter backstroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Monday, July 30.

Missy Franklin of the United States wipes a tear from her face as she reacts during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

From left, Camille Lacourt of France, Matt Grevers of the United States and Liam Tancock of Great Britain compete the final of the men's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

American Matthew Grevers (left) celebrates winning gold with silver medalist and fellow American Nick Thoman at the finish of the men's 100-meter backstroke final swimming on Monday.

From left, silver medalist Emily Seebohm of Australia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Aya Terakawa of Japan celebrate with their medals during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.

U.S. swimmer Dana Vollmer poses on the podium after winning a gold medal in the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the London Olympics on Sunday, July 29.

Vollmer set a world record in winning the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first woman to go under 56 seconds.

Vollmer celebrates after breaking the world record on Sunday.

Kim Rhode listens to the U.S. national anthem after winning the gold medal in women's skeet shooting Sunday.

Rhode celebrates winning the skeet competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks.

Ryan Lochte celebrates with his gold medal during the men's 400-meter individual medley medal ceremony on Saturday. He captured the first U.S. gold medal of the Games.