Rio 2016: Michael Phelps insists retirement decision is final after receiving Silver in 100m Butterfly

Michael Phelps finally retires. File Pic
Michael Phelps finally retires. File Pic

Internet Desk: Michael Phelps debunked the theory that he will swim again at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 by insisting that Friday night’s 100-meter butterfly final was the last individual race of his career.

Phelps missed out on a 23rd Olympic gold medal by finishing in a three-way tie for second in the 100 metres butterfly, but has one final opportunity in the 4x100m medley relay on Saturday.

Singapore’s Joseph Schooling won butterfly gold in 50.39 seconds, eight years after being a starry-eyed schoolboy and posing for a photo with Phelps.

Lochte had previously speculated that despite Phelps having announced his plans to retire, that the swim legend would again return to try to dominate the pool.

“I will just clarify that Ryan doesn’t know what he is talking about,” Phelps said, after he tied for second with Laszlo Cseh of Hungary and South Africa’s Chad le Clos, well behind Singaporean gold medalist Joseph Schooling. “I am not coming back in four years.”

‘I will be in Tokyo, but I won’t be competing in Tokyo. No more,’ said Phelps, who had won the 100m butterfly at three prior Games.

Phelps will represent the United States in the 4×100-meter medley relay on Saturday in what will be his last race of a career that has brought him a remarkable 22 gold medals, the most ever by an Olympian.