18th pool gold sets up fitting finale for Phelps
Source: Agencies |
August 6, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
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MICHAEL Phelps got up to leave his last news conference at the Olympic pool when his relay mates were asked if they thought he would really stay retired.
Before they could answer, Phelps smiled and said emphatically: "Yes, yes."
The most decorated Olympian called it a career on Saturday night with a fitting ending - a gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay at the London Games.
Phelps' totals in four Olympics: 22 medals, 18 golds, 51 races and 9,900 meters of swimming. "I've been able to do everything that I wanted. If you can say that about your career, there's no need to move forward. Time for other things."
Having hung up his suit, cap and goggles for the last time, the 27-year-old from Baltimore is looking forward to the rest of his life.
He wants to travel and see places beyond the pools and hotels of the last 12 years. His likely destinations include Australia and Europe. He wants to go cage diving among great white sharks in South Africa with Chad le Clos, the last man to beat him in the Olympics. "I've been able to see so many amazing places in the world, but I've really never gotten to experience them."
"He needs time for himself first," his mother Debbie said.
Phelps sure left it on a high note. He regained the lead in the medley relay with his trademark butterfly stroke, then handed it over to freestyle anchor Nathan Adrian.
Adrian brought it home in 3 minutes, 29.35 seconds. Japan took the silver in 3:31.26 and Australia got the bronze in 3:31.68. The team of Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Phelps and Adrian hugged before Phelps waved to fans.
Warming up before his last race, Phelps called his coach over to the side of the practice pool. He thanked Bob Bowman for helping him win all those medals.
That private moment got to both of them. "I said, 'My tears could hide behind my goggles. Yours are streaming down your face'," Phelps said. "I wouldn't be here today without everything he's done for me. I love him to death."
Bowman said: "I'll never forget that as long as I live."
On a night when Phelps exited the world stage, Missy Franklin capped a brilliant Olympic debut by helping the US win gold in the women's medley relay in a world-record time of 3:52.05, beating the mark of 3:52.19 set by China at the 2009 world championships.
The Americans dominated the medal count at the pool, finishing with 16 golds and 30 overall.
Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands won the women's 50 freestyle to seal a sprint sweep.
Before they could answer, Phelps smiled and said emphatically: "Yes, yes."
The most decorated Olympian called it a career on Saturday night with a fitting ending - a gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay at the London Games.
Phelps' totals in four Olympics: 22 medals, 18 golds, 51 races and 9,900 meters of swimming. "I've been able to do everything that I wanted. If you can say that about your career, there's no need to move forward. Time for other things."
Having hung up his suit, cap and goggles for the last time, the 27-year-old from Baltimore is looking forward to the rest of his life.
He wants to travel and see places beyond the pools and hotels of the last 12 years. His likely destinations include Australia and Europe. He wants to go cage diving among great white sharks in South Africa with Chad le Clos, the last man to beat him in the Olympics. "I've been able to see so many amazing places in the world, but I've really never gotten to experience them."
"He needs time for himself first," his mother Debbie said.
Phelps sure left it on a high note. He regained the lead in the medley relay with his trademark butterfly stroke, then handed it over to freestyle anchor Nathan Adrian.
Adrian brought it home in 3 minutes, 29.35 seconds. Japan took the silver in 3:31.26 and Australia got the bronze in 3:31.68. The team of Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Phelps and Adrian hugged before Phelps waved to fans.
Warming up before his last race, Phelps called his coach over to the side of the practice pool. He thanked Bob Bowman for helping him win all those medals.
That private moment got to both of them. "I said, 'My tears could hide behind my goggles. Yours are streaming down your face'," Phelps said. "I wouldn't be here today without everything he's done for me. I love him to death."
Bowman said: "I'll never forget that as long as I live."
On a night when Phelps exited the world stage, Missy Franklin capped a brilliant Olympic debut by helping the US win gold in the women's medley relay in a world-record time of 3:52.05, beating the mark of 3:52.19 set by China at the 2009 world championships.
The Americans dominated the medal count at the pool, finishing with 16 golds and 30 overall.
Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands won the women's 50 freestyle to seal a sprint sweep.
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