Obama tweets Phelps as non-competing Irish athletes celebrate Team Ireland

Barack Obama has tweeted his congratulations to US swimmer Michael Phelps after he made Olympic history last night.

Phelps last night brought his all-time medal tally to a record 19, one more than Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina in 1964.

Congrats to Michael Phelps for breaking the all-time Olympic medal record. You’ve made your country proud. -bo

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 1, 2012

Phelps replied that it was an honour to represent the US.

Meanwhile, the Irish Embassy in London is hosting a reception for members of Team Ireland who are not in Olympic action today.

Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar will attend the event and has been meeting some of the athletes since the start of the London games.

The Minister said it was important to show Team Ireland that everyone at home is behind them, and rejected the suggestion that the mood in the camp was a bit downbeat.

"The mood seems very good," he said. "We thought (the reception) was an important thing to do to honour the athletes' contribution."