The storyline is becoming a bit overplayed but Michael Phelps along with teammates Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay set another world record in winning gold during the 4×200 meter relay on Wednesday in Beijing. They set the new world record at 6:58:56.

No such worries in the relay. Seemingly impervious to fatigue, the gangly American set a blistering pace of 1:43.31 that got the Americans rolling toward a winning time of 6:58.56 — the first team ever to break the 7-minute barrier.

The previous record of 7:03.24 was set by the Americans at last year’s world championships. Russia took the silver, more than five seconds behind the Americans, who mainly had to make sure they didn’t jump in the water too soon. Australia won the bronze.

Five down, three to go towards Michael’s goal of eight Beijing gold medals. He has a total of eleven golds in his Olympic career after the two wins today.

2008 Beijing Gold Medal Checklist for Phelps

• 400-Meter Individual Medley - GOLD
• 4×100- Meter Free Relay - GOLD
• 200-Meter Freestyle - GOLD
• 200-Meter- Butterfly - GOLD
• 4×200-Meter Free Relay - GOLD
• 200-Meter Individual Medley - GOLD
• 100-Meter Butterfly - GOLD
• 4×100-Meter Medley Relay - GOLD

More Photos of Record Setting Olympian Michael Phelps

[images: WENN]