Phelps’ final Olympic swim
Phelps part of Olympic record 4 x 100 medley relay win
RIO DE JANEIRO—Even Michael Phelps couldn’t imagine an ending this good.
In his final race before retirement, the most decorated Olympian in history led the U.S. to victory in the 400-meter medley relay at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on Saturday.
Phelps finished a career that spanned five Olympics with 28 medals, 23 of them gold. No other athlete in any sport has more than nine gold medals.
Ryan Murphy (backstroke), Cody Miller (breaststroke) and Nathan Adrian (freestyle) joined Phelps on the relay that finished in 3 minutes, 27.95 seconds, an Olympic-record time. Phelps dove into the pool on the third leg as the U.S. trailed by 0.61 second. He touched the wall after his 100-meter butterfly run with the relay ahead by almost a half-second.
Phelps retired after the London Olympics — disappointed with his performance and tired of the sport — but returned
Americans hit magic number 1,000 golds
When Simone Manuel touched the wall to clinch a gold medal Saturday night, it was a moment 120 years in the making. The U.S. women’s 4 x 100-meter medley relay team of Kathleen Baker, Lilly King, Dana Vollmer and Manuel is being recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as delivering the nation’s 1,000th gold medal in Summer Olympics history. 18 months later in search of a better ending to more than two decades in the pool.
The comeback produced more success than the 31-yearold expected. Phelps captured five gold medals and one silver at these Games, including his fourth consecutive Olympic gold in the 200-meter individual medley and another gold in the 200-meter butterfly.
Phelps looked like the same dominant swimmer who holds three individual world records and revolutionized the sport, only more at ease, comfortable with himself and able to enjoy the moment. At times during the last week, Phelps shook his head in disbelief at the stream of victories. He repeatedly laughed, kissed his son, Boomer, after races and shed tears during some medal ceremonies.
Phelps is aware of his place in history, too. His feats in the pool inspired a generation of young swimmers. Some of his teammates on this edition of the U.S. Olympic swimming team grew up seeking his autograph or decorated their bedroom walls with his picture. Katie Ledecky, the 19-year-old sensation who won four gold medals at these Games, posed for a photograph with Phelps and got his autograph when she was 9.