After retiring with 22 Olympic medals, then splitting from partner Megan Rossee, Michael Phelps is trying to find the perfect girl.

Meet Sarah Herndon.

Less than a month after his break-up, the most decorated Olympian of all time met this 22-year-old waitress just before Christmas in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where Herndon was vacationing with her family.

While out dancing at a nightclub with her three sisters, she was asked to join Phelps, 27, at his table by a worker. At that time, the swimmer had just split from Rossee, a model whom he dated for less than a year.

“We danced but we were just more talking,” Herndon recounted Celebuzz of their initial meeting, during a revealing and exclusive interview.”There was definitely an attraction but nothing really happened that night. We both talked about how we were both recently single. He didn’t say a lot. He just said it didn’t work out [with Megan], it didn’t sound to fun, I think that’s just what happens when you break up with people.”

“When we left, he asked for my number. And he ended up getting in touch with me the next day,” Sarah added, revealing that they “kissed” and “got to know each other” during their next meeting.

Since then, Phelps swept Herndon off her feet — charming the brunette beauty with an all-expenses paid trip to the Bahamas complete with a lobster-fishing expedition.

“We were holding hands and he was putting his arm around me when I was cold, he’s really caring and affectionate. He would kiss me in front of his friends – you could tell he was happy to have me there,” she gushed.

“He was treating me like I was his girl.”

Herndon also clarified that she never divulged any information regarding their love life, contrary to what some publications had previously reported.

“What happens between me and Michael intimately is our business. And not something I care to talk about with anyone else besides us,” she told Celebuzz. “I did stay in his room but I’m not going to say that he’s a good lover or anything.”

“I would never talk about something like that,” Herndon continued, adding that her beau is a “good kisser.”

“He’s very cuddly and kissy, which is cute. He’s charming and a gentleman,” she said. “He’s got like a confident side to him to that makes you want more. But he’s very sweet at the same time.”

She continued, gushing, “Michael’s body is obviously great, I mean he’s an athlete. He’s got a great sculpted body.”

Aside from the opportunity to hang out with the 11-time Olympic gold medallist, Herndon was also treated to romantic weekend getaways in different cities.

Following their Bahamas vacation, during which Phelps was also filming his reality golf show The Haney Project, the nursing student said she jetted off to Baltimore for a dinner date.

The date hit close to home for Phelps — literally — as Baltimore lies just south of his hometown of Towson, Md.

“He invited me to go on the private jet with him to Baltimore. It was awesome,” she said of the experience. “He threw me over his shoulder as we went to go on the plane.”

“He showed me around a little bit and then we went for sushi and saw the movie Zero Dark Thirty.

“It was romantic, he’s a great date. He’s a gentleman, very polite. I’m sure he gets that from his mother — they’re pretty close.”

Phelps also invited Herndon to watch his team the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, but she declined because she had prior arrangements with friends.

Despite their closeness and constant contact, Phelps’ gal said they’ve agreed to take things slowly.

“We’re both like newly single and we’re still getting to know each other. It’s just really casual right now,” she told us. “It was like too soon to talk about being exclusive, but we talked about how we had a great time and how we would see each other soon.”

“Later on, we may become a couple but we’re not going to rush into anything. He’s a great guy.”

Additional reporting by Hugo Daniel, Coleman Rayner.

“Michael needs to smell the flowers after having such a competitive career.”

That’s how the mother of Michael Phelps‘ ex-girlfriend, Megan Rossee, described the split between her model daughter and the most decorated Olympian of all time.

But Susan Rossee insisted to Celebuzz the split is far from acrimonious.

“They remain friendly,” Susan said, adding: “They were too young.”

Phelps, 27, who has a record 22 Olympic medals, reportedly called time-out on the relationship after nine months of dating.

After two failed romances — Phelps previously dated reality star Brittny Gastineau and model Nicole Johnson — it was thought this relationship was more serious, after the pretty blonde was spotted cheering him on at the London Summer Olympic Games in July.

It has been reported that the record-breaking champ broke it off because he believed it was not going anywhere, according to TMZ.

“Things happen for a reason. #notme,” the champ wrote on Twitter.

Rossee, 25, later posted a missive of her own — a photo with the saying: “A woman’s loyalty is tested when her man has nothing. A man’s loyalty is tested when he has everything.”

“Yup,” she added.

Then on New Year’s Eve, Rossee posted a photo of her girls-only celebration along with the message that the “love of my life is the love between friends.”

But her mom insisted it was the right decision because both were not ready to settle down.

“Michael is a great guy and they still talk… there are no hard feelings between them,” Susan Rossee added.

“He is a really great guy and is very close to his sisters and his mother as well. Both Michael and Megan have to live a little just now and have some fun.”

Although he has retired from swimming, Michael will not be staying idle in 2013 after he signed up to appear on the Golf Channel’s Haney Project in February.

The newly-single athlete will get golf tips from host Hank Haney on the show as he attempts to improve his game.

The Maryland-born swimmer — who was dubbed ‘The Flying Fish’ because of his exploits in the pool — has suggested that he is ready to experience life more after years of devoting himself to the sport.

“I have traveled the world through swimming, but really haven’t had an opportunity to experience the world through my travels,”  he revealed in an AP interview.

“As I enter this next chapter of my life, I think I will be able to shift my competitiveness to anything I put my mind to and golf is one of the things I want to focus on.”

Michael Phelps was immortalized in cement this week. Well, at least his feet were.

Meanwhile, Phelps’ fellow Olympians the Fab Five ran into one of the hottest boy bands in town.

Want more details on these celebrity sightings – and many more? Join us as we go beyond the velvet rope – and see all the action in our photo gallery!

THE WHO: Olympic champ Michael Phelps (with girlfriend Megan Rossee)

THE WHAT: Taking cement imprints of his size 13 Under Armour Spine shoes.

THE WHERE: The Under Armour global headquarters in Baltimore

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: We’ve still got Olympic fever!

THE WHO: The Fab Five gymnasts – Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Alexandra Raisman, Kyla Ross and Gabrielle Douglas

THE WHAT: Running into Brit group The Wanted

THE WHERE: The 2012 NBA Baller Beats by XBOX VMA Lounge, presented by Velodyne Acoustics and benefitting VH1 Save The Music Foundation, at the Ritz Carlton in L.A.

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: Boy bands rule. Especially this one.

THE WHO: Jared Leto, Chloe Sevigny, Paris Hilton, Kelly Osbourne, Kirsten Dunst, Garrett Hedlund, Mia Moretti and Erin Wasson

THE WHAT: Sipping Svedka Colada cocktails

THE WHERE: Opening Ceremony’s 10 Year Anniversary Party at Webster Hall in NYC

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: Someone’s gotta convince Jared Leto to shave that beard. #bringbackjordancatalano

THE WHO: Glee star Darren Criss

THE WHAT: Celebrating with Richard Chai at the designer’s private Fashion Week dinner

THE WHERE: EMM Group’s Catch restaurant in NYC

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: Darren may have broken into “Teenage Dream.” HELLO.

THE WHO: Rachel Zoe and Olivia Palermo

THE WHAT: Grooving at the DJ booth with Rev Run and DJ Ruckus

THE WHERE: At the opening of Piperlime’s first-ever retail store in Soho, NYC

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: Run spins hot tunes, case closed.

THE WHO: Kat McPhee

THE WHAT: Loading up on free beauty goodies and candy — including gumballs for her hubby Nick

THE WHERE: Birchbox Sample Stop in NYC

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: Mmmm, candy.

THE WHO: Alexandra Richards

THE WHAT: Taking a break from modeling to spin records as a guest DJ

THE WHERE: Wilhelmina’s Fashion Week party at Norwood in NYC

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: She’s Keith Richards’ daughter – the music was bound to be slammin’.

THE WHO: Atonement star Saoirse Ronan

THE WHAT: Picking up some Moroccanoil

THE WHERE: The Variety Studio during the Toronto Film Festival at Holt Renfrew

WHY WE WISH WERE THERE: She’s starring in the upcoming adaption of Stephanie Meyers’ The Host – and we’re total Twihards.

THE WHO: Carlos Santana

THE WHAT: Making a toast with Casa Noble Tequila

THE WHERE: The House of Blues Foundation Room in Las Vegas

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: He’s our Guitar Hero.

THE WHO: Ashley Tisdale

THE WHAT: Taking a break from filming Scary Movie 5 and enjoying a cool swig of Hubert’s Lemonade, plus a visit from her pet pooch

THE WHERE: Atlanta, Georgia

WHY WE WISH WE WERE THERE: Rumor has it Lindsay Lohan gets the ax in the movie’s opening scene. And we gotta see that.

Only Michael Phelps would celebrate his retirement with a weekend-long pool party.

The 27-year-old Olympian, who has taken home 18 gold medals in his career, partied poolside Saturday afternoon at the Encore Beach Club in Las Vegas. Phelps celebrated his retirement from competitive swimming alongside his fans, friends and teammates — including Allison Schmitt, Nathan Adrian and Charles Houchin.

But there was one person missing from Phelps’ weekend festivities. 

He kicked off his weekend-long party with bikini-clad waitresses, vodka, a cake decorated with gold medals, and a DJ set from superstar David Guetta. However, rumored girlfriend Megan Rossee was nowhere in sight.

And unlike Prince Harry’s wild Sin City romp, the Olympian managed to keep his clothes on. At one point, People reports the commonly stoic Phelps addressed the entire crowd, shouting, “This is my first night of retirement at Surrender!”

The decorated swimmer became the most winning Olympian ever at this year’s London games, with 22 overall medals. He took the record from former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who had held the record for 48 years.

Olympian Michael Phelps can add yet another honor to his highly decorated career: Wheaties coverman. The 18-time gold medalist and fellow Olympian Misty May-Treanor debuted their limited edition Wheaties boxes on Thursday, which will hit supermarket shelves in September.

Phelps, 27, finished the 2012 London Olympic Games as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 22 medals. Meanwhile, May-Treanor, 35, has won more tournaments than any other professional female volleyball player in the sport. The two seemed like an obvious choice for the cereal brand, which has a history of celebrating the top American athletes.

Click through the gallery above to check out the Olympians’ Wheaties boxes.

The record-breaking swimmer has called the London Olympic Games his last, but he will continue to work with his foundation, the Michael Phelps foundation, which aims to promote swimming and healthy living across the U.S.

Phelps said the following in a statement: “I received a lot of comparisons throughout my career, but I always wanted to be the best that I could be. I wanted to do something that nobody else had done before and I wanted to change the sport of swimming. Thanks to Wheaties and their support of my Foundation, I hope that my accomplishments will help inspire others to pursue their dreams.”

As for May-Treanor, she walked away from the London Games as the first in her sport to win three gold medals. “My message to athletes everywhere is to never give up, ever,” she said in a statement. “If someone says you can’t do it, try harder.”

Relive the moment Phelps made history below.

Clearly, winning 22 Olympic medals has its perks.

Case in point: Michael Phelps‘ brand-new ad for Louis Vuitton, in which he strips down to a Speedo and eyes the camera while sitting in a bathtub.

The ad was shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, who in her decades-plus career has photographed everyone from John Lennon to The Rolling Stones.

Phelps, 25, is coming off an incredible run at the 2012 London Olympics, where he added a staggering six medals to his collection (four gold, two silver) to become the most-decorated Olympian of all time.

While in London, Phelps also went public with his girlfriend, actress-model Megan Rossee, whom he’s reportedly been dating since January.

During the Games, there were also reports that Phelps — who had planned to retire after London — is being recruited by NBC Sports to become an on-air commentator.

What do you think of Phelps’ ad for Louis Vuitton? Is it sexy? Or should he stick to swimming? Sound off, below.

With his final Olympics behind him, Michael Phelps is taking on a new sport and he’s doing it for the Golf Channel’s cameras.

The cable network announced on Saturday that the most decorated Olympian in history with 22 career medals will be featured as a student on the fifth season of The Haney Project.

“I have traveled the world through swimming, but really haven’t had an opportunity to experience the world through my travels,” Phelps said in a statement. “As I enter this next chapter of my life, I think I will be able to shift my competitiveness to anything I put my mind to and golf is one of the things I want to focus on.”

Phelps makes his reality TV series debut in February 2013. He’ll take on the new sport with the help of Tiger Woods’ former coach and Golf Channel personality Hank Haney.

“If I have a goal of dropping a certain amount of shots, or working on my short game or putting, those things are going to keep me motivated and fire me up and keep me excited,” the 27-year-old swimmer said. “I want to play all the world’s great golf courses, but I’d like to play them well. I’m excited about this project with Golf Channel and I’m looking forward to working with Hank and see what we can do together on the golf course.”

Production on the fifth season of The Haney Project begins in September.

“We look forward to chronicling Michael’s transition from the most-decorated Olympian in history to a frustrated golfer trying to enjoy playing the world’s greatest golf courses,” Golf Channel President Mike McCarley said. “Golfers everywhere will be able to relate to his quest to improve his game.”

The news follows reports that Phelps’ biggest opponent from Team USA, Ryan Lochte, is currently fielding reality show offers.

Though, Phelps finds himself with another silver medal for signing on to a reality show. He’s the second person from this Summer’s Olympics to make a reality TV deal as runner Sanya Richards-Ross was the first to sign on to a reality series for WE.

Do you think Phelps will conquer golf as he did with swimming? Will you tune in to see if he does?

When you’re the most decorated Olympian of all time, life’s a beach.

After upping his medal count to a whopping 22 during the 2012 London Olympics, Michael Phelps jetted off with pals for a guys-only getaway in the Maldives.

How is Phelps celebrating his record-breaking success?

With some bro-tastic beach time, of course

In TMZ‘s exclusive photo, a swimsuit-clad Phelps poses with his fellow Speedo-wearing, buff buddies on the sand in Maldives.

The gang is living the life at a luxury resort in Ari Atoll, according to a Maldives travel site. Taking in the sights and the turquoise waters of the Asian island, Phelps has been lounging, boating and boozing, a source told TMZ.

But where’s Phelp’s model girlfriend, Megan Rossee?

According to TMZ, the Olympian opted to skip town without his new Los Angeles-based lady love, instead choosing to fete his victories with friends with a tropical vacation.

What do you think of Phelp’s beach body? Sound off below.

Michael Phelps has gone from having one new girlfriend to two!

When it was revealed this week that besides winning six medals at the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps, 27, had landed another new prize — stunning model Megan Rossee – the world went into to overdrive.

While unknown at the time, the 25-year-old from Los Angeles, Calif. has become the center of attention.

But it seems Rossee’s newfound fame has its pitfalls.

What problems is Rossee facing thanks to her famous sporting beau?

Phelps’ model girlfriend has become on online sensation going from having a few hundred followers on her Twitter to thousands since August 6.

So popular is the model, someone has even created a fake twitter account and is pretending to be her. So, lucky Phelps’ now gets two super hot girlfriends.

@noteapleeeease @meganrosse geez people that make fake pages are weirdos

— megan rossee (@meganrossee) August 9, 2012

For the record, the real Rossee has more than 6,800 followers while the fake Rossee — who calls themselves Megan Rosse — has just 191.

Her fame is certainly impressing those who knew the model before her Olympian boyfriend.

@meganrossee I bet you never guessed you’d become so famous for being my student! ;-) Hope you are well. — Patrick Mulick (@drmulick) August 7, 2012

Celebuzz was the first to confirm the rumored romance between the model and the Olympian was true.

“Yes, it’s true,” said Rossee’s father, Wayne Rossee, who confirmed from his home in Lakewood, Calif.

“I haven’t met him yet. I will soon.”

Her father jokingly allowed Phelps off for not coming to meet the family yet: “He’s been kind of busy.”

Luck be a lady, indeed.

Michael Phelps and Megan Rossee took their relationship public on Monday, when the rumored couple showed up together to the Speedo Athlete Celebration in London.

Rossee, a 25-year-old model from Los Angeles, looked Gold medal-worthy, for lack of a better pun, as she posed for photos in a hip-hugging dress. Phelps, meanwhile, kept it casual in a suit as he put his arm around Rossee.

Since when has Phelps had a woman on his arm?

First hints of a romance between Phelps and Rossee, who have reportedly been dating since January, surfaced on Twitter, when Rossee tweeted a number of lovey-dovey messages to Phelps as he prepared to take the 2012 London Olympics by storm.

“This probably will get lost in your tweets but since i cant text i miss you and cant wait to spend time with you for real xo,” she tweeted on July 28.

Celebuzz later confirmed their relationship with Rossee’s father.

“Yes, it’s true,” said Wayne Rossee from his home in Lakewood, Calif., on Monday. “I haven’t met him yet. I will soon.”

Phelps is coming off of a record-setting run at the Olympics, during which he brought his overall medal count to 22, breaking a previous record set by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina. See highlights from his stunning performance in the video, below.

Do Phelps and Rossee make a picture perfect couple? Sound off in comments.

Apparently, it’s all the rage or at least a common practice among Olympic swimmers. Yes, indeed, most swimmers do pee in the pool. At least according to Team USA’s Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte.

During a recent interview, Phelps admitted that like Lochte he also urinated in the pool. The decorated Olympian, 27, backed up his team mate, 28, and said that most competitive swimmers are guilty of the habit.

So how does Phelps get away with the dirty deed?

“I think everybody pees in the pool,” Phelps told the Wall Street Journal. “It’s kind of a normal thing to do with swimmers. You know, when we’re in the water for two hours we don’t really get out, you know, to pee. We just go whenever we’re on the wall. Chlorine kills it so its not bad.”

Just days before, Lochte, had admitted in a live interview with Ryan Seacrest to breaking the No.1 pool rule and giving new meaning to the term “warm up.”

“Of course,” he said about urinating in the water. “I think there’s just something about getting into chlorine water that you just automatically go. I didn’t during the races, but I sure did in the warm-up.”

Michael Phelps just earned six medals at the 2012 London Olympics, but he has another new prize as well: blond stunner Megan Rossee.

Following word that Phelps is dating the aspiring model, her father confirmed the relationship exclusively to Celebuzz.

“Yes, it’s true,” said Wayne Rossee from his home in Lakewood, Calif. “I haven’t met him yet. I will soon.”

Then, in the understatement of the year, Rossee joked: “He’s been kind of busy.”

What plans do Michael and Megan have for the future?

Rossee said the pair, who have been dating since January, want to spend some quality time together post-Olympics. Megan — a Los Angeles native – accompanied Phelps to both the Omaha trials and the London games.

“They plan on traveling around a bit before they come home,” he said.

Word of a Phelps paramour broke when 25-year-old Megan posted a Twitter photo of herself with the award-winning swimmer in London on August 5; she has also been inundating him with loving messages.

In the tweets, it’s apparent that Megan has even picked out nicknames for her new beau.

good luck tonight bear “@michaelphelps: Last prelim swim complete… 2 big ones tonight… Nap time now…”

— megan rossee (@meganrossee) August 2, 2012

She also said she missed spending quality time with Phelps, and constantly wished him good luck.

@michaelphelps this probably will get lost in your tweets but since i cant text i miss you and cant wait to spend time with you for real xo — megan rossee (@meganrossee) July 29, 2012

idk how to direct msg u and don’t wanna wake u up but just watched your swim :) good job today and can’t wait to be there @michaelphelps

— megan rossee (@meganrossee) June 26, 2012

MIchael’s TeammAtes enjoy the london nightlife

14 Photos »

Megan, meanwhile, isn’t just concentrating on her new man: she’s also focusing on her career.

“I am super easy going,” she writes on her Model Mayhem profile. “I’m pretty much down for any type of project (that doesn’t involve nudity). I love what I do and hope to further my carer as a model as well as a performer.”

What do you think of the Olympian’s new girlfriend? Comment on his new crush.

Michael Phelps is ending his time at the London Games with a bang.

The 27-year-old swimmer, who announced his retirement in May, has nabbed his 18th gold medal in the men’s 100-meter medley relay — the very last race ever in his Olympic career.

Phelps swam the butterfly leg of the race with teammates Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen and Nathan Adrian — clocking in first at 3:29.35 in the overall relay. Japan and Australia came in second and third respectively.

So, what’s Phelps’ medal count now?

The American athlete has received a total of 22 Olympic medals in his career, besting former record holder Larisa Latynina as the most decorated Olympian of all time. The gymnast held the title with 18 medals until July 31, when Phelps was awarded his 19th in the men’s 200-meter freestyle relay.

Phelps was also given a lifetime achievement award from FINA, the sport’s swimming federation, during his last medal ceremony to celebrate his amazing accomplishments.

After a disappointing start at the London Games, in which he placed fourth in the 400-meter individual medley, Phelps wound up with more medals than any other swimmer at the Games: four golds and two silvers.

“I’ve been able to do everything I’ve wanted,” Phelps said of his achievements. “I’ve been able to put my mind to the goals that I wanted to achieve. If you can say that about your career, there’s no need to move forward.”

See below for Phelps’ many wins during the 2012 Olympics.

Olympic superstar Michael Phelps might be going for the gold in London, but back in the states, he’s hoping to sell his Fells Point, Baltimore condo for a cool $1.42 million.

The record-winning 19 Olympic medal swimmer purchased the three bedroom, two and a half bathroom back in 2007 for $1.7 million. The home boasts hardwood floors, granite counter tops, a large master suite with a spa bath and floor to ceiling windows with views over the city.

Take a look through the gallery above to see more photos of his condo.

Phelps’ condo also has a rooftop lounge terrace with fantastic views over the waterfront and city.

The building also had an indoor heated swimming pool and fitness center and a garage for two cars.

Phelps, 27, is competing in his fourth and final Olympics before retirement. During an interview on Piers Morgan Tonight, the Olympian opened up about the one aspect of retirement he is looking forward to: visiting oceans or resorts and not getting in the water.

“I don’t want to get in the water,” said Phelps. “I spent so much time in the water; I’m like ‘No I’ll sit here on the beach. … I don’t want to get in the water and play.”

Phelps will compete against American swimmer Ryan Lochte for the second and final time in the Olympics on Thursday.

On the opening night of the swimming competition, Lochte beat Phelps in the 400-meter individual medley. The rematch comes in the 200 IM, an event in which Lochte beat Phelps at last year’s world championships. However, Phelps beat Lochte at last month’s U.S. Olympic Trials.

If Phelps wins, he would become the first male swimmer to win the same event in three consecutive Olympics.

Do you plan to watch the Olympics? Tell us in the comments, below.

The women’s Australian swim team has been using a very special weapon to beat out the American girls in the 2012 Olympics — Fifty Shades of Grey.

The female swimmers revealed they have been reading the erotic novel to “relax.”

Australia’s Alicia Coutts — who just beat the USA’s Caitlin Leverenz to win silver in the 200m Individual Medley final — dished on Fifty Shade‘s power as a training aid on Tuesday.

What did she say?

“Most of the swimming girls are reading Fifty Shades of Grey,” 24-year-old Coutts said. “We’re all talking about it.”

Currently the highest female multiple medalist at the Games, the swimmer told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph she is so into the series she is already on book number two.

“My manager said just forget about the sex bits and it’s actually a really good story,” Coutts said. ”I’ve found it really interesting. I can’t put it down.

“Normally when I race, I watch a series on my laptop, but I’ve just been so into this book that I haven’t even got my DVDs out.”

Another of Australia’s ladies also admitted to getting into the erotic series.

Stephanie Rice, 24 — who at one time was reportedly romantically linked to the USA’s Michael Phelps — got a head start on her reading, tweeting a picture of herself chilling out with the novel on July 15.

Phelps himself has found a way to relax during the London Games. The 27-year-old — who became the most decorated Olympian in history after winning gold in the men’s 4X200m relay on Tuesday — has been watching the gritty television series The Wire.

Fellow swimmer Ryan Lochte, meanwhile, has turned to playing cards against teammates to help him unwind.

FlashObj–>

Team USA gave quite the performance Tuesday night at the 2012 Olympics in London, beginning with an incredible run by the women’s gymnastics team inside the Greenwich Arena.

Jordyn Wieber and the rest of the Fab 5 were on point throughout the tense competition, sticking their landings and performing with grace on their quest to win the Gold over Russia.

Meanwhile, Michael Phelps made history in the pool in the 800-meter freestyle relay, picking up a record-setting 19th medal, a Gold.

What else went down Tuesday night?

Get the full rundown, below.

1.) Team USA Wins Gold in Women’s Team Gymnastics
The United States’ women’s gymnastics team, comprised of Gabrielle Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber, gave the performance of their careers Tuesday night to take the Gold medal in the team finals over Russia. (Romania finished third, ahead of the defending champions, China.) Among the highlights: a stunning vault by Maroney, which you can check out in the video, below:

2.) Michael Phelps Wins Record Medal
After somewhat of a rocky start to the 2012 Games, swimmer Michael Phelps silenced his critics by winning a record 19th medal, a Gold, in the 800-meter freestyle relay. That breaks the previous record set by Soviet gymnastic Larisa Latynina, who has 18 career medals. (Phelps tied Latynina’s earlier Tuesday by winning Silver in the 200-meter butterfly.)

3.) Allison Schmitt Swims to Victory
Also dominating the pool on Tuesday: Allison Schmitt, who set a new Olympic record in the 200-meter freestyle. Her competitor and teammate, Missy Franklin — who won Gold in the 100-meter backstroke on Monday — finished fourth.

4.) Zara Phillips Silvers in Royal Finish
Completing an impressive Olympic run on Tuesday was Zara Phillips. The Royal cousin of Princes William and Harry remained on-point during the third and final leg of the team equestrian competition, showjumping, to help Great Britain win a Silver medal.

5.) Team USA Reaches Quarterfinals in Women’s Soccer
Hope Solo and the lovely ladies on the United States’ women’s soccer team rallied to victory over North Korea on Tuesday, in 1-0 finish. They’ll compete again Friday in the quarterfinals against New Zealand.

Michael Phelps has become the most decorated Olympic athlete ever.

After reeling in the silver medal for the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps claimed his gold medal in the 4×200 freestyle relay on Tuesday — earning him a total of 19 medals within his four Olympics.

What did Phelps accomplish in London?

The 27-year-old was the first to crush the 1964 record set by Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina — who earned a total of 18 medals.

However, he may not have been able to do this challenge without the help of his teammates — Ryan Lochte gave the US a .98-second lead after Conor Dwyer advanced it to 2.13 seconds, and Ricky Berens completed the third leg with a grand 3.88-second lead.

With this superior advantage, Phelps knew exactly what to do and power-housed his way into victory in a little over six minutes.

The excellent athlete matched the record a little earlier in the day during his race against South Africa’s Chad le Clos.

Phelps just missed adding some more gold to his collection with the pair neck and neck for the whole race but the South African Olympian ended up surpassing him by .05 seconds — turning Phelps’ gold medal into silver.

Phelps’ massive metal haul now consists of 15 golds, two silvers, and two bronze.  Not too shabby of a collection.

Do you think Phelps is the greatest athlete of all time?

The United States continued its legacy in women’s gymnastics Tuesday by clinching the Gold medal over Russia in the team finals.

The five-member squad, comprised of Gabrielle Douglas, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber, dominated the competition, finishing with a stunning 183.596 points.

That number was well ahead of Russia, whose team stumbled on their final event, the Floor Exercise, to finish in second place, with 178.530 points.

Rounding out the podium: Romania, which edged out defending champions China for the Bronze.

This marks the first time the United States — which placed first at the World Championships in 2011 — has won the team competition since the 1996 Games in Atlanta, when 20 Kerri Strug clinched the Gold with a now-historic vault.

It was also a complete turnaround from yesterday’s performance by the men’s team, who fell numerous times and wound up finishing a disappointing fifth.

The United States’ victory today is the second overall Gold for the Red, White and Blue in women’s the team finals. They placed Silver at the 2008 Olympics, in Beijing.

Meanwhile, swimmer Michael Phelps made history on Tuesday by winning his 19th Olympic medal, a fitting Gold, in the 800-meter freestyle relay. By doing so, he officially became the most-decorated Olympian in history, surpassing the previous record set by Russian gymnast Larisa Latynina.

Earlier Tuesday, Phelps tied Latynina’s record in the 200-meter butterfly, where he finished in second place to Chad le Clos of South Africa. Unfortunately, the medal was bittersweet for Phelps, as it prevented him from becoming the first swimmer to win three-consecutive Gold medals in a single event.

Similar to past Olympics, this year’s London Games is riddled with controversies and jaw-dropping moments — already.

From U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps‘ lackluster performances in the pool to Colombia soccer player Lady Andrade’s socking sucker punches in the field, the 2012 Olympics on track to be one of history’s most memorable Summer Games.

Launch the gallery for the 11 most shocking moments from London… so far.

On Saturday, China’s Ye Shiwen shocked the world when she smashed a world record with her gold medal swim in the 400-meter individual medley, the toughest race in swimming.

Not only did the 16-year-old nab the gold medal with flying colors, but she also swam faster than Ryan Lochte, one of the best U.S. male swimmer, according to the clock.

Shiwen finished her final 50 meters in 28.93 seconds, beating out Lochte’s record of 29.10 seconds.

However, Seeing how Lochte, 27, has been doing swimmingly (pun intended) in all events, there’s no doubt Shiwen’s record-breaking stint will be challenged again.

Learn more about some of the London Games’ brightest stars, below.

Michael Phelps is getting is groove back.

After failing to medal in the 400-meter individual medley, the 26-year-old Olympian bounced back Sunday by nabbing the silver medal in men’s 400-meter freestyle relay with the man who broke his winning streak during Saturday’s event, Ryan Lochte.

Along with U.S. teammates Nathan Adrian and Cullen Jones, Phelps acquired a strong lead in the beginning of the relay.

So what cost the team the gold?

While the United States was ahead for most of the race, Lochte, who swam earlier in the day and qualified for the 200-meter freestyle an hour before the relay final, fell behind on the anchor leg. France’s Yannick Agnel took advantage of Lochte’s fatigue and sped past the 27-year-old Olympian during the races’ final seconds.

The French swim team took home the gold with a time of 3:09.93, while Russia nabbed a bronze medal for the race.

The American team finished overall with a total time of 3:10.38.

Phelps, who is now two medals away from being the most decorated Olympian in history, has four more events to go before wrapping up at this year’s Olympic Games.

Learn more about the U.S. Olympics team, below.