Breaking News: Phelps Closes Olympic Career and Wins 18th Gold Medal

Michael Phelps ended his Olympic career with a record 18th gold medal (22 medals overall) in the men’s 4 x 100 medley relay. Phelps was lined up third and gave the forth swimmer a crucial lead. His achievement is so rare that you might not see it again in your lifetime.

In 3 Olympic appearances, Phelps won more Olympic gold medals than Argentina in 112 years. Behind Phelps are 4 athletes who have each won 9 gold medals – Larisa Latynina, Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis and Paavo Nurma. With 18 gold medals, Phelps has won twice as many as his closest competitor.

Until now, no swimmer has even won a gold medal in the same event in 3 consecutive Olympics. Phelps did it twice – in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. He has competed in 24 Olympic finals and won medals in 22 of them. How about setting 8 world records during 3 Olympic performances?

This week many people will be arguing that Michael Phelps is the best Olympian to ever have lived. It is hard to argue against that!