10 legendary athletes who we bid goodbye to at the Rio Olympics

The 17-day extravaganza which was the Rio Olympics 2016 has come to end with the United States contingent bringing home a mammoth 121 medals including 46 gold medals. We have seen the emergence of bright young talents who will wow us in the years to come but that doesn’t mean the veterans disappointed.

Some of the greatest athletes in the history of the Games put in truly Herculean efforts and came away with the gold to reward their four-year preparations. We have seen World Records and Olympic Records shattered as some of the most decorated athletes of all-time tried their hardest to bid goodbye with one final push to get onto the podium.

Here are 10 legendary athletes who have competed at their last Olympic Games

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Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps bids goodbye after yet another successful run at the Olympics

 

 

The greatest athlete of all-time. Aquaman himself. Or just simply, Michael Phelps. The USA swimmer is the most decorated Olympian in the history of the Games, as he took his tally to a staggering 28 medals.

Phelps enjoyed a remarkable comeback to the pool following his bout with depression post the 2012 London Olympics. The swimmer put on a swimming clinic at Rio winning 5 gold medals in the Men’s 4x200 freestyle relay, 200m butterfly, 4x100 medley relay, 4x100 freestyle relay, as well as the 200m individual medley. His only “disappointment” was a silver medal in the 100m butterfly.

Despite coming back from retirement after London 2012, Phelps is adamant that we won’t be making another comeback this time around. We have well and truly seen the last of Michael Phelps.