Obama congratulates Phelps via Twitter

(CBS News) After Michael Phelps won his record 19th Olympic medal, Tuesday, President Obama congratulated the swimming phenom via Twitter.

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' enthusiastic response:

Thank you Mr. President!! It's an honor representing the #USA !! The best country in the world!! RT @barackobama: ... tmi.me/ux7k2

-- Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) August 1, 2012

The president's praise for Phelps extended to the campaign trail Wednesday telling a crowd in Mansfield, Ohio, "I want to congratulate Michael Phelps, most medals, we've ever seen."

The president also said he called the women's gymnastic team to congratulate them on their gold medal victory in the all-around competition Tuesday evening.

"I told these young ladies as I was congratulating them, how do you not bust your head every time you're on that little balance beam. I couldn't walk across that balance beam! So anyway, we could not be prouder of them," the president said.

The president also had praise for all the American athletes competing in London and their athletic ability.

"I have to tell you, you know, when I'm watching, you know when people run track, I understand, I know how to run, they're just much faster, and I know how to swim - they just swim much better than I do. These gymnastics folks, I don't understand how they do what they do," the president added.

After talking to the president, the women gymnasts took to Twitter.

Just talked to the President of the United States!!! WOW such and honor and a amazing feeling!! ?????? #thankyou

-- Gabrielle Douglas (@gabrielledoug) August 1, 2012

@jordyn_wieber: Just talked to the President on the phone! Pretty much the coolest thing ever!! @barackobama #ProudAmerican

-- Jordyn Wieber (@jordyn_wieber) August 1, 2012

@barackobama So nice of you to talk to all of us!!! So honored to be able to speak to you on the phone! Thank you for everything! :)

-- Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) August 1, 2012

Such an honor getting to talking to the President on the phone!!!! Thanks for supporting us!????

-- Kyla Ross (@kyla_ross96) August 1, 2012

Just talked to the President of the United States..???? #whaaaat So grateful!! That was amazing!! #ProudToBeAnAmerican

-- McKayla Maroney (@McKaylaMaroney) August 1, 2012