Michael Phelps' death stare on Chad le Clos is on point

RIO DE JANEIRO – It was the stare down that has everyone talking.

Michael Phelps and South African swimmer Chad le Clos were seen in the dressing room waiting on their turn to compete in the 200m butterfly Monday night when the camera caught Phelps' death stare on Chad le Clos.

Everyone has their own way of focusing and getting ready before a competition. For le Clos, it's shadowboxing. And while le Clos was getting pumped, Phelps had his headphones and hoodie on while he appeared to be intensely staring le Clos down.

After Phelps qualified to compete in Tuesday night's medal match, beating le Clos by just seconds, Michelle Tafoya asked Phelps about the death stare.

"I was trying not to really even look at him. He does his thing. I do my mine. I was trying to watch the heat in front of me," Phelps said.

The internet has been going crazy with a still shot of Phelps' look. #PhelpsFace has started trending.

Phelps swam the 200m butterfly in his Olympic debut at the Sydney Games. He won gold in 2004 and 2008, but fell short in 2012 when Le Clos took gold, beating Phelps by just .05 seconds.

Phelps will swim Tuesday night for his fifth Olympic 200m butterfly final.