By Alan Baldwin
LONDON Aug 4 (Reuters) – Michael Phelps kept his word after
swimming into history with one last, immense Olympic appearance
on Saturday.
The greatest Olympic swimmer, and to many the greatest
athlete as well, called time on his sensational career with an
18th gold medal and the recognition that he had done everything
he had set out to do.
Asked why he had to go, when he was still so obviously a
winner, still dominant and able to perform, the 27-year-old
American referred the questioner back to something he had
promised himself long ago.
“I told myself I never want to swim when I’m 30,” he said.
“No offence to those people who are 30, but that is
something that I always said to myself. That will be in three
years and I just don’t want to swim for another three years.
“And I’ve been able to do everything I wanted. I’ve been
able to put my mind to the goals that I wanted to achieve and
(coach) Bob (Bowman) and I have somehow managed to do every
single thing.
“I think if you can say that about your career, there’s no
need to move forward. Time for other things.”
Continued…
