Starting his retirement with four gold medals and one silver former Olympian Michael Phelps, 31, has left a huge impact on all his fans and people all around the world. This isn’t the first time he’s talked about retirement. Back in 2012 he decided it would be his last time competing and made a comeback in the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships.

“I was so much more emotional during these games… because I knew this was the last race and last olympics that I ever had. Everything just really hit hard.,” said Michael Phelps.

“It’s sad that he is retiring because he’s a good swimmer but I understand why he is ending his career since he has been swimming for such a long time. He is ready for a new chapter in his life.” said P.E. teacher Ms. Fukuda.

Phelps participated in his first olympic games when he was 15 at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. He didn’t win any medals that year but he continued on as a swimmer. He won his first medal in 2004 Athens Summer Olympics. That same year Phelps had set a world record in his first event, the 400-meter IM.

“Beijing Olympics were memorable because he beat his opponent by a billionth of a second, that’s crazy” said science teacher Mr. Casillas.

In his entire career Phelps has won a total of 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them being gold. In 2004 he won eight gold medals and eight more the following games in Beijing. Phelps became the second athlete after Mark Spitz to win 8 gold medals in a single olympic games. In 2012 London Olympics the FINA honored him with an award commemorating his standing as the most decorated olympian ever. Finally in 2016 Brazil olympics he announced his final retirement to the world.