Michael Phelps believes his final Olympic Games could not have gone any better and, in fact, included one of the best races of his life.
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Silver medal winners United States’ Michael Phelps, South Africa’s Chad Le Clos and Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh celebrate in the men’s 100-meter butterfly medals ceremony during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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”. Monica Puig became Puerto Rico’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist in any sport when she upset Germany’s Angelique Kerber 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 in the final.
“This is what I wanted to finish my career”. “I don’t even know who Lilly King is”, Gatlin said.
Murphy, like many of Phelps’s teammates, was asked if thought the superstar would really stay retired this time.
The 31-year-old Baltimore shark ended up his professional career with the commitment and competitive instinct that has always distinguished his performances at pools.
Phelps, who now has 28 Olympic medals in total, had earlier told fans in a Facebook Live chat that Saturday would be the last time he graced the Olympic pool. Over the most part of the distance, Paltrinieri swam faster the record line, but the last 150 meters were too slow, which still allowed him to win the gold with 14:34.57. “If this is the end that was a great way to cap off an incredible career”.
Ryan Murphy (backstroke), Cody Miller (breaststroke) and Nathan Adrian (freestyle) joined Phelps on the relay that finished in 3 minutes 27.95 seconds.
In the only event he didn’t win in Rio, he was beaten by a 21-year-old from Singapore, Joseph Schooling, who grew up idolizing the American star.
Phelps is not giving up the pool, however. Placing second was Great Britain with 3:29.24 and third was Australia with 3:29.93.
The comeback endured a huge setback with his second drunken-driving arrest in 2014, which led to Phelps being banned from the world championships past year. At times during the last week, Phelps shook his head in disbelief at the stream of victories.
“I think he did (need swimming)”, Bowman said of 2012.
The victory gave Phelps his fifth gold of the Rio Games after his triumphs in the 4x100m free, 4x200m free, 200m butterfly and 200m individual medley, with a silver in the 100m fly for good measure. At 2000 Sidney Olympics, he didn’t won any medal.
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The relay marked the final swimming event of Rio. However, Phelps has announced to stop right now.
