With 22 Olympic medals, Michael Phelps has surpassed Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina.who previously held the title of most decorated Olympian with 19 medals; nine gold, five silver and four bronze. Phelps now has eighteen gold, two silver and two bronze. Not only is he the most decorated Olympian; he has eight more gold medals then anyone.
Phelps grew up in Towson, Maryland, and stated swimming at age 7. He was diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and swimming created an outlet to get all of his energy out. Phelps now has broken 39 world records.
“Even though Michael Phelps is past what many people consider as his prime time, he is one of the few athletes that posses the determination to win. That determination is what has won him those 22 medals,” said senior swimmer Gabe Lackey.
Phelps' Olympic journey in London was off to a bumpy start after he failed to win any of his first three races. When it came time for his first relay, teammates Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Conor Dwyer helped lead them to gold.
''I've put my mind to doing something that nobody had ever done before,'' Phelps said. ''This has been an amazing ride,” according to foxnews.com.
Phelps won his last medal for the 2012 summer Olympics in the 4x100 meter medley relay. Swimming along with Matt Grevers, Nathan Adrian and Brendan Hansen the team got first place and took home yet another gold medal.
On the pool deck in London Phelps fans chanted “four more years”. When asked about attending the 2016 Olympics in Rio, he stated that London is the end of his Olympic career.
By Hannah Richardson
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