Michael Phelps tonight claimed the 16th Olympic gold medal of his amazing career and 20th in total with a thrilling victory in the 200 metres individual medley.

Gold medal hopeful Kelly Sotherton lies fifth in the heptathlon in Beijing after two events.

Britain’s swimmers celebrated in a noisy corner of the packed Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne as Kirsty Balfour delivered the team’s third medal of the World Championships with a hard-earned silver in the 200metres breaststroke.