Phelps Sticking to Retirement Plan and “Happy about It”

2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES

After finishing his last individual event of this Olympics in an historic three-way tie for silver (a finish which we are calling “the perfect way to win his last individual race ever“) ESPN’s Wayne Drehs is quoting Phelps as saying that he is sticking to his plans to retire.

https://twitter.com/espnwd?lang=en-gb

He reportedly shook his head at a reporter’s question about changing his mind and not retiring.

“I’m standing by that,” he said. “I’m ready to retire. And I’m happy about it.”

Phelps has one race to come in his swimming career, the men’s 4 x 100 medley relay tomorrow night. We can expect to see him swimming the event with Ryan Murphy, Cody Miller, and Nathan Adrian. The group will be chasing down the gold and the world record, a 3:27.38 set by Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, Phelps, and David Walters at the suit-era 2009 World Championships in Rome.

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NEWTOSWIMSWAM
8 years ago

What MP has done for our sport, in the US and internationally, is incredible. He has inspired a generation of swimmers who want be “like Mike” – just look at the pictures of him with young Katie Ledecky and Joseph Schooling! He’s got nothing more to prove and should go out at top of his game. Speaking of “like Mike”, I hope MP would NOT be “like Mike (Jordan, that is)” when it comes to retirement. MJ is, and perhaps always will be the GOAT in hoops, but it was painful to watch his last few games as an NBA player.

Dr.x
8 years ago

If the times don’t improve , he maybe back .
Just so that he can it even 30 Olympic medals..

Dr.x
Reply to  Dr.x
8 years ago

Make* it even 30 Olympic medals

Mustafa
8 years ago

He has retired before. He seems to lose his way when he’s not laser beamed into training for the Olympics. I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to make the 2020 Olympic team at all.

Steve Nolan
8 years ago

I didn’t believe him in London, but I do now.

I was 95% sure he’d be back, now I’m 90% sure he’s done.

swammerbypro
8 years ago

He’s had the greatest swimming career in history and established himself as the greatest swimmer who ever lived. Kinda disappointing he couldn’t get a gold with his last individual but he has more Olympic gold than anyone else on the planet and has nothing left to prove. Enjoy retirement MP

Swammer81
8 years ago

sure, jan

Beachbumj343
Reply to  Swammer81
8 years ago

Jan?

SwimmerFoxJet
8 years ago

😀 that’s what he said last time.
And Lochte said so again. He has been right before. Bob Bowman doesn’t think so like last time.

Everything is going according to plan >:)

Cold brew
8 years ago

I didn’t believe him in London and I don’t believe him now.

About Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht

Hannah Hecht grew up in Kansas and spent most of her childhood trying to convince coaches to let her swim backstroke in freestyle sets. She took her passion to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa and swam at NAIA Nationals all four years. After graduating in 2015, she moved to …

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