2016 RIO OLYMPIC GAMES
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Swimming: August 6-13
- Olympic Aquatics Stadium, Barra Olympic Park, Rio de Janeiro
- Prelims – 9:00 a.m/12:00 p.m PST/EST (1:00 p.m local), Finals – 6:00 p.m/9:00 p.m PST/EST (10:00 p.m local)
- SwimSwam previews
- Schedule & Results
- Live Stream (NBC)
With one race to go tonight, Michael Phelps is looking forward to his future with his fiancee and son.
[After Rio, I’m] probably going to travel and work some,” said Phelps. “But after that I don’t know. I’m really looking forward to seeing Boomer and Nicole and my family. Obviously a couple of weeks, maybe a couple of months I’m probably not going to do much. I’m getting married at the end of the year.”
After his silver-medal 100 fly last night, the last individual race of his career, Phelps reflected on his legacy in the sport.
“I wanted to change the sport of swimming,” he said. “That’s what I wanted to do. With the people we have in the sport now, I think you’re seeing that. Being able to have that opportunity to change the sport and continue to change the sport is something I’m looking forward to. Daring kids to dream. That’s the only reason why I’m sitting here. I was a little kid with a dream and it turned into a couple of medals, a pretty good couple of years of swimming and I had a blast. Not be afraid to know that the sky is the limit.”
He also reiterated (after having said it before and again) that tonight will be his last race, referencing a conversation with Chad le Clos.
“Done. Chad asked me in the ready room,” he said. “I am not going four more years and I’m standing by that. I’ve been able to do everything I have ever put my mind to in this sport. 24 years in this sport. I’m happy with how things have finished. That’s why I came back after 2012. I didn’t want to have a ‘what if’ 20 years later. Being able to close the door on this sport the way I want to, that’s why I’m happy. I’m ready to retire and I’m happy about it. I’m in a better state of mind this time than I was four years ago. I am ready to spend some time with Boomer and Nicole and watch the little dude grow.”
People have full time jobs and still spend lots of time with family. He can train and spend lots of time with family. Train for just one event! Not 6 events like in Rio.
And what about sponsor obligations and travel away from his kids? It’s not just the training. Most full time jobs don’t have all that. I remember seeing an interview with Nathan Adrian when he said his sponsor commitments sometimes interfered with his training. Missy also said she was having trouble adjusting to that. Phelps has an opportunity to spend a LOT of time with his kids and he has the money to do it. I think his issues with his dad probably add to that desire.
I believe him and think this is our last time ever to watch Michael Phelps swim on the world stage. Wouldn’t miss this relay or the medal ceremony for anything – the end of a very special era and there will not be another quite like him. Gonna be a lot of smiles and tears in this little swimming world of ours.
He never seems to mention his “volunteer” coaching gig waiting for him at ASU when discussing future plans.
His demeanor in 2016 seems very different from 2012 IMO so I truly believe him this time. The closest I see is him turning to coaching, working with USA swimming or working to change FINA.
Long live MP. GOAT
Good for him. He’s 31 & it’s time to move on with his life & next chapter. Wish a few more of the “ole timers” would follow!!! Lochte???
46.06
And then there wouldn’t have been the Ervin moment last night.
exactly
It’s time for him to move on because he wants to move on. If Lochte or Ervin don’t want to, more power to them. I’m not sure Lochte has anything else to go to, Phelps does. It’s kind of nice that these guys are showing that you can have a fairly lengthy career in swimming, pushing the age envelope so to speak. Plummer is saying that he is going to go one more year to “see how it goes”
Besides all the medals and records, I’ll remember his versatility as a swimmer. He was excellent in all the strokes – his technique and turns were superb.
Take a bow Michael, and find a new big dream to chase.
As well as his longevity. Should never say never, but I don’t think there will ever be another Michael Phelps.
Did Michael go slower in every event in 2016 compared to 2012?
100 free in relay better in 2016. Was the 200 free in the relay better?