Swimmer Michael Phelps is delighted to end his Olympic career by winning a 23rd gold medal
Sunday 14 August 2016 08:00, UK
Michael Phelps brought the curtain down on his Olympic career with a dynamite relay swim which resulted in his 23rd gold medal.
The American, far and away the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, finished with five golds and one silver in Rio after signing off in dramatic style, as he cam to the rescue in the 4x100m medley final.
Turning back the clock in his fifth and final Games, Phelps produced a blistering third leg of butterfly to restore the USA team's lead and tee up victory after Britain's Adam Peaty had threatened to spoil his finale.
"Getting off the bus and walking to the pool tonight, I pretty much felt myself starting to crack," Phelps said.
"Last warm-up, last time putting on a suit, last time walking out in front of people, representing my country - it's insane, a lot better than it was four years ago.
"This is how I wanted to finish my career. I've lived a dream come true. Being able to cap it off with these Games is just the perfect way to finish."
While the spotlight was on the 31-year-old, who retired after the 2012 London Games before returning for one last hurrah, the USA women's 4x100m medley relayers captured their country's 1,000th Olympic medal.
The country's first medal dates back to 1896, when James Connolly won triple jump gold.
Even that statistic seemed to pale against the irrepressible Phelps - and likewise Ryan Murphy's leadoff backstroke leg, which set a new 100m world record of 51.85.
"No matter what country you swim for you're indebted to Michael Phelps," said Murphy after winning his third Rio gold.
"He's opened a lot of doors for all of us. It was awesome to be in that race with him."
