Of his achievements, Phelps said on Saturday, “I’ve been able to do everything I ever put my mind to in the sport”, adding that, “Just being able to finish this way is special because now I’m able to start the next chapter in my life”. Britain held on for silver (3:29.24), with Australia nabbing bronze (3:29.93).
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The men’s medley relay followed with its own moment of glory, maintaining an all-time flawless Olympic record in the event when the US has participated.
Phelps, the Team U.S.A. captain this time around, says this was his last Olympics, and though he has un-retired before, most seem to believe that this time, he meansit.
After Murphy delivered a world-record breaking backstroke leg, the writing was seemingly on the wall.
Phelps swam the third leg of the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay, with Team USA winning the event with a time of 3:27.95.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports however that it was the final competitive swim for Phelps.
The swimming competitions in Rio have come to an end and legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympic swimmer in history, finished the games with six medals.
The win guaranteed the “Baltimore Bullet” his 23rd gold medal in five Games appearances stretching over 16 years, not to mention a fifth win at Rio 26 after success in the 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley.
Later Sunday, Usain Bolt will defend his title as the world’s fastest man at the Rio de Janeiro Games when he goes for his third consecutive gold medal in the 100 meters.
“I wouldn’t change anything”, he said.
The victory came just minutes after the women’s medley relay gave the United States its 1,000th Olympic gold medal at the Summer Games.
And although teammates Lilly King, Kathleen Baker and Dana Vollmer had all won Olympic medals before, they celebrated excitedly among themselves as Manuel moved further clear of the field.
Still a teenager in school during the 2000 Olympics, he became the youngest male to make the American swimming team this side of World War Two.
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The night, though, belonged to Phelps, who walked out of the arena for final time carrying an American flag handed to him by his mother from her front-row seat, right next to Johnson and little Boomer.
