Phelps could not. He described his medal total as “insane.” He entered the Rio Games as the most decorated Olympian in history, with 22 medals, including 18 golds, and added five golds and a silver during eight days of competition. His other victories came in the two freestyle relays, the 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter individual medley, in which he became the third American Olympian after the track and field athletes Al Oerter and Carl Lewis to win the same event four times.

After 63 races spread over five Olympics, covering 11,800 meters, Phelps is finished. He was overcome with emotion after the race, tearing up as he gathered his relay mates in a huddle and told them what a privilege and an honor it had been to swim his last race with them. He walked off the deck for the last time to a standing ovation.