Michael Phelps went into retirement with a bang.
The most decorated Olympian in history added to his collection of shiny medals with another gold on Saturday during the 4×100-meter medley relay. He had some help, of course, with his teammates Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen and Nathan Adrian also sharing in the triumph.
It seemed fitting that the man now considered by many as the greatest Olympic athlete of all-time went out on top.
He ends his career with 22 gold medals—18 of which are gold. He did it all in 24 races.
After the U.S. swam to victory, Phelps waved to the crowd and offered a smile, ending a career that ends with twice as many gold medals as any other Olympian.
It was a superb career for Phelps.
Some fellow athletes and celebrities took to Twitter immediately after USA’s victory to congratulate Phelps on his remarkable career in the pool:
“Wow @MichaelPhelps wow,” said the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade. “He’s gone somewhere no man has ever been..Greatest Olympian Athlete Ever.”
“Proud of the greatest Olympian ever @MichaelPhelps I am sure going to miss racing him,” tweeted his teammate Ryan Lochte.
“Okay @MichaelPhelps, with 22 Olympic medals, incl 18 GOLD, you’re now qualified to teach my 6yo sons how to swim. When do you get back?” said former football player Desmond Howard.
“Lovely ending to a historic career for @michaelphelps. #legend The women carrying their own weight with 8 golds,” said U.S. women’s soccer player Heather Mitts.
“Amazing!!” said Olympic gold medalist Nastia Lukin, retweeting U.S. Olympics message announcing Phelps’ achievement.
Phelps got off to a shaky start in his first race in the London Olympics but he finished strong, ending his final Olympics with four golds and two silvers.
In the last race of @MichaelPhelps career, he takes GOLD in 4×100 medley relay w/ teammates @NathanGAdrian, @MattGrevers, @BrendanHansen.
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 4, 2012
Most decorated Olympian of all time @MichaelPhelps ends his career with 22 Olympic medals (18 GOLD!) in 24 races. #GoTeamUSA #GoMichael
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 4, 2012
