Phelps breaks 2,168-year-old record

With his 13th individual gold medal Michael Phelps has surpassed the record of Leonidas, a runner who competed in the ancient Olympic Games and the only other Olympic athlete to have won 12 solo titles

Michael Phelps of Baltimore

2004 Seals first gold in 400m individual medley (IM). Wins three more solo crowns

2008 Five individual golds in freestyle, butterfly, and 200m and 400m IM

2012 Wins 100m butterfly and 200m IM before announcing retirement

2016 Back in the pool in Rio, with three chances to set all-time record

Leonidas of Rhodes

164BCE Wins three separate foot races, stadion, diaulos, and hoplitodromos, for first time

160BCE Stadion and diaulos, roughly 200-yard and 400-yard sprints, favour his speed

156BCE Hoplitodromos, performed wearing armour and shield, requires strength and endurance

152BCE Pausanias writes: “Leonidas, the most famous runner, maintained his speed at its prime for four Olympiads”

Start line at Olympia

Sources: IOC, Wire agencies

Pictures: Getty Images, Newscom