Michael Phelps controversially equals Mark Spitz's record of seven golds

Michael Phelps controversially equals Mark Spitz's record of seven golds

Michael Phelps has equalled Mark Spitz's record of seven medals in one Olympic Games in arguably his most dramatic race of the entire week.

Michael Phelps equals Mark Spitz's record of seven golds

Seven down, one to go: Michael Phelps is still on track - just - for a record-breaking eight

Swimming in the 100m butterfly final, the American swimmer only led the race for one hundredth of the second - but it was the blink of the eye that really mattered, right at the end of the race.

The 23-year-old was lying well out of gold medal position with 20 meters to go. However, an extraordinary late burst took him almost level with Milorad Cavic of Serbia, although his bid for eight gold medals still looked to be scuppered - until the electronic result flashed up his name.

In fact, the race was so close that the Serbians lodged an appeal, which was rejected by FINA, the sport's governing body. Race referee Ben Ekumbo defended the integrity of the results. "Immediately after the men's 100m butterfly we got an official, written protest from Serbia which was questioning the arrival [of Phelps] as being too fast," said the official.

"Under our rules we do listen to protests. We looked at video footage and it was very clear the Serbian swimmer touched second, after Phelps. One was stroking and one was gliding.

"Two independent timing systems showed exactly the same on the time. Phelps was 50.58, Cavic was 50.59.

"The automatic timing systems are in perfect order and there are no doubts."

"When I took that last stroke I thought I lost the race there, but it turns out that was the difference," said Phelps.

"I'm just lost for words."

The normally reserved Phelps celebrated in style, although this time it was just an Olympic record rather than a world record to go with his gold medal.

On Sunday, Phelps can go one better than Spitz in Munich with a chance for an eighth Beijing gold in the 100m medley relay.