The US’ Michael Phelps on Saturday left the Olympic pool for the last time having fulfilled a childhood dream, but it is clear he will not be walking away from the sport that has turned him into a global household name.
Phelps’ swimming career ended with his 23rd gold medal in the 4x100 medley relay medal on Saturday, which extended his record as the most decorated Olympian of all time.
“This all started and began with one little dream as a kid that changed the sport of swimming and tried to do something nobody else has ever done,” Phelps said. “And it turned out pretty cool.”
Photo: AFP
It could have all ended four years ago, a little less cool, for the now 31-year-old American.
After the 2012 London Olympics, which he had declared to be his last, Phelps walked away with not only the regret that he simply went through the motions, but like many athletes in retirement, he appeared lost and unprepared.
In Rio de Janeiro, where he took his Olympic tally to a staggering 28 medals — he also won three silvers and two bronze — it was apparent he was not going through the motions at all.
Clearly exhausted, he shared every victory with the raucous crowd and was especially emotional whenever he caught sight of fiancee Nicole Johnson and infant son Boomer in the stands.
“Getting off the bus walking into the pool tonight I almost felt myself starting to cry,” Phelps said. “Last warmup, last time putting on a suit, last time walking out in front of thousands 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. This was the cherry on top of the cake and [I’m] looking forward to starting a new chapter.”
Part of that new chapter now clearly lies outside the pool.
Since he first took the Olympic plunge at the 2000 Sydney Games he has had an ambition to take swimming into the mainstream and there is no doubt the sport has enjoyed a much higher profile during his tenure as its leading figure.
However, it is also apparent he has not been able to elevate it much beyond what it has been — something people only care about during Olympic years and he knows he has work to do.
“I’ve said this to some of you, it’s not done growing,” he told reporters when he qualified for Rio. “In my opinion, and if I have to die before — I’ll go down swinging to see this sport where I want it to be. It’s not done yet.”
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