Which Soviet gymnast's Olympic medal record did Phelps surpass in 2012?

Michael Phelps surpassed Larisa Latynina’s Olympic medal record in 2012. The Soviet gymnast had won 18 medals across the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Games, a total that stood for nearly five decades.

Phelps equaled Latynina’s mark with a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly at the London Olympics. He then moved ahead of her by helping the United States win gold in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, earning his 19th Olympic medal. Latynina attended the relay and reportedly hoped to present Phelps with his medal, but Olympic protocol prevented it.

The record concerned total Olympic medals, not gold medals alone. Phelps already held the record for Olympic golds, while Latynina’s 18-medal total included six gold, six silver, and six bronze medals. Phelps ultimately finished his career with 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds.