At peace with the world, Olympic legend Michael Phelps bids goodbye to the pool
Most decorated Olympian of all time bows out of competition after five Games, with 28 medals and 23 golds
At a press conference in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (14 August), Phelps reflected on an extraordinary career (Photo: Getty Images/Jamie Squire)
When swimming legend Michael Phelps woke up in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday (14 August), he did something unusual for a man who has won more Olympic medals (28) than anybody else: he took out the full haul of silverware he has won at Rio 2016, five golds and one silver, and looked at it all in the morning sun.
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"This is what I wanted to finish my career. This is the cherry that I wanted to put on the top of the cake," said Phelps, who confirmed at a press conference in Rio that he is retiring from competitive swimming after a journey of sporting highs and personal challenges that has had no equal in Olympic history.
How did he feel this morning? "Just smiling, just happy."
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It hasn't always been this way for Phelps on his journey to the highest summit of global sport.
Phelps briefly retired after London 2012 before announcing his return to competition in April 2014. After London, Phelps battled depression and went into rehab following a second drink-driving offence.
With the help of long-term girlfriend Nicole Johnson, Phelps has rebuilt his life. His personal recovery was completed when son Boomer was born in May this year.
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Phelps's personal struggles and sporting triumphs have endeared him like no other swimmer to the public around the world.
"I am happy with how my career ended," an at-peace Phelps said on Sunday. "I can't say that about London. I am proud of the work I have put in over the last two-plus years to be able to get back to where I am today.
"This is the way I wanted to hang my suit up. I am very happy I came back. If I hadn't had come back, I wouldn't have know what to do with myself and would have been frustrated with myself for not giving myself a chance.
"I'm in the best place possible with everything that's going on in my life."
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Young family
Nicole and Boomer have been a constant poolside presence at Rio 2016 and Boomer has become a social media star in his own right.
Phelps said he was much more emotional before and after his final swim at Rio, the butterfly leg of the 4x100m metre relay, than at London four years ago.
He said he started to tear up even before he put his googles on on Saturday night.
"I knew that was it," Phelps said. "Being able to walk out like this – I am proud of me. I wouldn't have said the same four years ago."
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On Saturday night (13 August), Phelps waved goodbye a memorable Rio 2016 and to the world of competitive swimming (Photo: Getty Images/Clive Rose)
After the swim, Phelps went home and woke up his young son Boomer, braving the wrath of partner Nicole. "I wanted to hold my son. It was the best closure to last night that I could possibly imagine.
"When I decided to come back I wanted to do it the right way. I wanted to challenge myself and see how much more I could do. I don't have anything that's left.
"This is it. This is the last time you'll ever see me racing in the water."
For the future, as well as raising his young family, Phelps plans to help more people around the world learn how to swim. He also wants to help grow the sport of swimming, a sport that Phelps himself has done more than anyone else to make more popular than ever before.
