Olympics swimming results, August 13: Michael Phelps golden once more
Looking at the results from the Olympics swimming races on Saturday, August 14, including Michael Phelps last race and 23rd gold medal
The Olympics swimming action on Saturday, August 13 promised big things just by who was involved. Budding star Simone Manuel was scheduled for two separate events. However, Michael Phelps earned the brightest spotlight of the night. Phelps swam as part of Team USA in a relay in what would be his final Olympic race. Without question, what unfolded wan an unforgettable night in the pool.
Olympics swimming on Day 8 of the Games at Rio 2016 began with the sprint in the Women’s 50m Freestyle. Simone Manuel was looking for yet another medal, but had stark competition to try and do so. In the mad dash across just one length of the pool, the race was impossibly close to call. Ultimately, Denmark’s Pernille Blume touched the wall to win gold, but just barely. Manuel touched second and Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia touched third for silver and bronze, respectively. Incredibly, though, all three women finished within 0.04 seconds of one another.
After a sprint, fans were treated to an incredible distance race in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle. Out of nowhere in this race, Italian Gregorio Paltrinieri jumped way out ahead of the field and ahead of the world record pace. He slowed, but his lead was great enough for him to hold on comfortably for the gold medal. Team USA’s Connor Jaeger won silver while Paltrinieri’s Italian teammate Gabriele Detti captured bronze.
Next on the docket in the pool was the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay. Team USA was favored heavily, but a sub-par run from Lilly King left them with a bit more drama than expected. However, Simone Manuel came up clutch again to pull ahead and win the United States another gold. Australia finished with the silver with Denmark earning the bronze.
The main event featured the Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay in what was promised to be the last race of Michael Phelps’ career. Swimming the butterfly leg third in the relay, he was ready. Ryan Murphy started it off with a world record backstroke time. Cody Miller then swam the breaststroke before Phelps entered the pool. The greatest of all-time regained the lead for Team USA before Nathan Adrian finished it off to win gold.
Phelps of course capped off his incredible career with another gold medal while Manuel continues to be a star in the making for Team USA. Not a bad way to conclude a fantastic Day 8 at Rio 2016.