The Americans finished in three minutes, 27.95 seconds, an Olympic record, to win by 1.29 seconds.
Advertisement
Phelps ends with a haul of 23 golds, three silver and two bronze.
“Nope, nope, nope”, he said Friday night when asked if he was reconsidering.
The U.S. Olympic Committee plans on recognizing the team for its feat, but the exact plans have yet to be revealed.
Replacing Phelps is just one order on the table for USA Swimming.
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. His 28 Olympic medals are 10 more than Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina – an incredible feat that seems unlikely to ever be broken.
Phelps dove into the pool on the third leg as the USA tailed by.61 seconds.
He beamed as he ducked in late for a news conference with the victor, Joseph Schooling of Singapore, and the other silver medalists, Chad le Clos of South Africa and Laszlo Cseh of Hungary.
To be frank, Phelps could take two and a half years off, put in 18 months of work (maybe even less) and still very likely win – or, at least, take a medal in – the Tokyo 200m IM.
“This is how I wanted to finish my career”, Phelps said.
At these Olympics, a number of swimmers cited him as an inspiration. “But in order to protect him, I gave up”.
Just like it started 16 years ago in Sydney, Michael Phelps’ Olympic career ended with his patented butterfly stroke. The first inklings of doubt came during Michele Tafoya’s interview with the relay team.
Schooling recalled interrupting a Chinese lesson to bolt over and pose for a photo with Phelps. He has the school’s mascot and the words “Come and take it” tattooed on his left shoulder blade. Phelps sported an amusing Fu Manchu mustache.
With one gold and five silvers, it was British swimming’s most successful Games since 1908.
“He mentions it all the time that he wants to go out on his own terms – on good terms, not ‘Let’s get out of here, ‘” Bowman said.
In a departure from Games past, Phelps’ fifth Olympics offered a glimpse not only of a sporting great relentless in pursuit of success but also of a man buoyed by warm family relationships heading purposefully into his post-swimming life. “It’s not going to happen”.
The swimmer and holder of 22 gold medals revealed during a Facebook Live Saturday that Rio would indeed be his last Olympics. He held and the USA got the medal. London Olympic champion Fraser-Pryce took bronze in 10.86 seconds and American Tori Bowie squeezed in for silver with a time of 10.83.
Advertisement
Jaeger claimed silver in 14:39.48, while bronze went to another Italian, Gabriele Detti, in 14:40.86.
