Michael Phelps brought the curtain down on one of sport’s most storied careers with a dynamite relay swim to give himself 23 Olympic gold medals and declared it a perfect finale
Michael Phelps
Rio de Janeiro: Michael Phelps brought the curtain down on one of sport’s most storied careers with a dynamite relay swim to give himself 23 Olympic gold medals and declared it a perfect finale.
Michael Phelps ended his career with a win in the 4x100m medley relay final. Here’s a combined picture of the American swimmer with his 23 Olympic gold medals. Pic/AFP
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The American finished with five golds and a silver in Rio after signing off in style, coming to the rescue in the 4x100m medley final.
Turning back the clock in his fifth Games, Phelps produced a blistering third leg of butterfly to restore his team’s lead and set up a victory.
"Getting off the bus and walking to the pool tonight, I pretty much felt myself starting to crack," confessed Phelps. "Last warm-up, last time putting on a suit, last time walking out in front of people, representing my country — it’s insane, a lot better than it was four years ago," added the 31-year-old, who retired after the 2012 London Games before returning for one last hurrah.
"This is how I wanted to finish my career. I’ve lived a dream come true. Being able to cap it off with these Games is just the perfect way to finish."
Phelps reflected on a fairy tale end to a dream career after claiming his 23rd Olympic gold in Rio in his final race.
The 31-year-old American won the 4x100 metres medley relay with Ryan Murphy, Cody Miller and Nathan Adrian, extending his record as the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals in all.
Phelps said. "It’s insane. This all started and began with one little dream as a kid to try to do something nobody in the sport has ever done. And it turned out pretty cool."
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