RIO DE JANEIRO — This is goodbye for Michael Phelps. The most decorated athlete in Olympic history has one more race before retirement.
His shot at a 28th medal comes Saturday in the final slate of swimming at the Rio de Janeiro Games.
With four gold medals at these games and 22 for his career, Phelps needs some help from his teammates to win another — he leads off with the butterfly leg of the 400 medley relay.
Phelps was beaten in his last Olympic individual race Friday night by a 21-year-old who grew up idolizing him. Joseph Schooling of Singapore built a big lead in the 100 butterfly and easily held off one of Phelps’ patented rallies.
Phelps insists he won’t be coming out of retirement again for Tokyo in 2020.
“I’m not going four more years and I’m standing by that,” he said. “I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever put my mind to in the sport and after 24 years in the sport, I’m happy with how things finished.”
..... - Newsday