Most Decorated Olympian
Michael Phelps, who dominated at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games, cemented his place in history at the London Olympics. By winning four golds and two silvers, he collected a total of 22 medals, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time.
The 27-year-old Baltimore swimmer retired with twice as many golds (18) as any other Olympian.
In London he was presented with the FINA (Federation International de Natation) lifetime achievement award, "The greatest Olympic athlete of all time."
He retired with no regrets. "I did everything I wanted to and finished my career how I wanted to," Phelps told reporters.
Credits: AP Photo/Matt Slocum
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Making Olympic History
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