Michael Phelps will say goodbye to competitive swimming, once his hand touches the wall for the last time in the London Olympics, and the American asserts whatever the outcome, there will be no regrets.
Phelps already has a staggering number of records, along with 14 gold medals, two bronzes and 26 world titles. The phenom in the pool has nothing left to prove.
The 27-year-old, who admitted this will be his last Olympics, said he will have to fight his emotions as well as his opponents, during the swimming program which starts on Saturday. "I wouldn't say I get choked up but I've been more emotional because these are the last competitive moments I will have in my career," the big American said. "It's big, it's something."
"I think there are going to be a lot of firsts and a lot of lasts this week, and I think over the last couple of years, and I guess throughout my career I've been able to manage my emotional energy fairly well."
If the last Olympics was all about Phelps and whether he would beat the records, this year will be about the rivalry with fellow American Ryan Lochte.
Phelps and Lochte will face off for the first time in London on Saturday in the 400 meter individual medley, which will see the heats and the finals on the same day.
Phelps is the two-time defending champion of the event, having won it in 2004 and 2008, and will become the first person in the sport's history to ever successfully defend a title twice.
"Everything we've done has never been easy, it's always a challenge," Phelps said. "It's going to be a very challenging race, an exciting race.
"It's something I've been looking forward to for a while -- you can guarantee it's going to be loud on opening night. And this will be the last one!"
Seeing as this will be his last Olympics, Phelps wants to take in the unique Olympic atmosphere for the final time, and enjoy the feeling as much as he can. "I'm having fun, this is something I always enjoy," he said. "It's kind of cool walking through the village and seeing the athletes from everywhere."
