SUMMARY
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American swimmer Michael Phelps is being called the Greatest Olympian ever, but his achievement comes after a heartbreaking loss.
On Day 4, Phelps swims the 200 meter butterfly, an event he has won the past 2 Olympics.
He is expected to win gold, and be the first male swimmer in history to win the same event 3 Games in a row.
But Phelps settles for silver as he loses to South African Chad Le Clos by five hundredths of a second on the very last touch.
Later, Phelps swims with the USA men’s relay team for the 4×200 m freestyle. Their first place finish gives Phelps his 19th medal, his first gold in London, and makes him the most decorated athlete of all time.
In fencing, a similar roller coaster fate.
South Korean fencer Shin A Lam suffers a controversial defeat, that deprives her of the gold medal epee.
The tearful athlete refuses to leave the piste for 70 minutes as her team appeals the decision, which is eventually rejected.
Distracted, Shin loses her bronze medal match adding to her dismay.
The International Fencing Federation offers her a special medal for sportsmanship.
In badminton, players from China, South Korea and Indonesia face charges from the Badminton World Federation, after they appear to miss shots on purpose, in an attempt to lose.
A loss at that point means weaker opponents in the final eight, which would help give them a higher chance at making the finals.
China still ties the USA with 23 medals each, but China has 13 golds to USA’s 9.
For the Philippine team, boxer Mark Barriga wins his first light flyweight fight and advances to the next round.
Natashya Gutierrez, Rappler, Manila. – Rappler.com
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