Michael Phelps Misses Threepeat Despite Samuel L. Jackson's Tweets, Becomes Most Medaled Olympian

U.S. swimmer places second in the 200-meter butterfly, takes the gold in 4x200-meter freestyle relay

By Peter Gicas Jul 31, 2012 8:49 PMTags
Michael Phelps, Samuel L. Jackson FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP, Kevin Winter/Getty Images

For Michael Phelps, his luck in London continues to come up short. Kinda, sorta.

The U.S. swimmer found himself having to settle for silver after he was defeated by South Africa's Chad le Clos in the 200-meter butterfly on Tuesday.

The loss also means that Phelps failed to win the same event he dominated at the last two summer games—despite the best tweeting effforts of Samuel L. Jackson, who has been continually sharing his enthusiasm for the Olympics via Twitter ever since they began.

"Just so ya know, looking forward to MIKE P going knee deep in ALL THAT ASS in the 200 FLY!!!" Jackson wrote a few hours earlier. "Go USA!"

But Phelps shouldn't feel too disappointed.

After all, soon after losing the 200 butterfly, he managed to snag the gold in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, earning his 19th career medal and thus surpassing Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina to become the Olympian with the most medals ever.

Hmm, maybe Jackson's attempts at sending Phelps' good vibes inadvertently panned out after all.

Meanwhile, another celeb, Tom Hanks has also been getting into the Olympic (and Twitter!) spirit.

"Solo! Boxx! Wambach! And Megan Rapinoe! I love the US Women of Olympic Soccer!" he tweeted at the start of the games. "Good luck from a major fan! Hanx."

Sure enough, the U.S. team went on to beat North Korea today, 1-0.