22 MEDALS, Most decorated and “greatest Olympian of all time” Olympians End his Career with Gold and Two Challenges for World

How hard you will have to try to attain those 18 gold or those 22 Olympic medals. The most
decorated Olympian Michael Phelps' s career came to an end with gold. Both totals are records and it will take a long time before those totals are even challenged, much less broken.

While talking about his career, Phelps stated: "I could probably sum it up in a couple of words and just say, 'I did it.' Through the ups and downs, I've still been able to do everything that I've ever wanted to accomplish. I've been able to do things nobody's ever done and that's what I've always wanted to do."
He also added: "The memories I have for this week will never go away."

This victory gives Phelps four gold medals and two silver for the London Olympics – an impressive haul for a 27-year-old and especially impressive after his shaky start here.

Phelps shockingly missed the podium in his first event, the 400 individual medley, then regrouped by winning the 100 butterfly and 200 IM and swimming strong legs on the gold medal-winning 800 freestyle relay. His silver medals were in the 400 free relay and 200 butterfly.

His final three swims all ended with him on the top step of the podium, listening to the "Star-Spangled Banner." Phelps was more emotional on the podium than he had been in Olympics past, as the emotional weight of his career's end sunk in.

After receiving his final gold medal, Phelps got a lifetime achievement award from FINA, the sport's swimming federation. The trophy boasted the words "greatest Olympian of all time," a title he only took partial credit for.

After receiving the life time achievement trophy, Phelps was all praise for his coach Bob Bowman. He said: “I've been able to become the best swimmer of all time and we got here together. I thanked him. And it was funny when I got out of the pool, he was like, 'That's not fair,' and I said, 'What's not fair?' And he goes, 'You were in the pool' and I was like, 'Yeah, my tears were behind my goggles. Yours are streaming down your face.”

"I wouldn't be here today without everything he has done for me. I love him to death and I'm thankful for somebody who cares so much for me and who has put up with all of my crap for the last 15 years. I literally cannot thank him enough."