Michael Phelps wins gold in final Olympic race, his 23rd

Michael Phelps went out where he stayed for most of his Olympic career: on top, winning gold with Team USA in the 4x100m Medley at Rio 2016

Michael Phelps said coming into the 2016 Rio Olympics that this would be his last competition in Olympics swimming. Others still doubt that’s the case, but he and his coaches maintained that stance throughout. Subsequently, Phelps run in the 4x100m Medley with Team USA served as the last race of his career. And from the very start, it looked like it was going to be a fitting end.

For a man who had 22 gold medals and 27 overall medals to his credit coming into his final race, Michael Phelps has lived at the top of the Olympics swimming world. Moreover, Team USA entered the 4x100m IM as the heavy favorites to win the gold. All it would take would be a clean race and it was theirs.

Ryan Murphy began the race with the backstroke and gave Team USA a commanding lead out of the gate. Next in the pool was Cody Miller swimming the breaststroke where he actually lost the lead briefly. Phelps dove in next to reclaim the lead with the butterfly stroke, which he was able to do. Nathan Adrian then entered the pool for the final sprint and absolutely drilled it. He touched the wall first, giving the Americans the emphatic victory.

In his final race and as part of Team USA, Phelps finished his illustrious career with his 23rd gold medal in his Olympic career. And just for good measure, he was part of one more Olympic record.

Fans truly may never see an athlete quite as dominant as Michael Phelps ever again. Over the course of five Olympic Games and numerous world championships, he’s simply been the best. So it’s only fitting that he’d leave the sport in the spot that he’s always occupied throughout his career: at the top of the podium, gold medal around his neck.