London Olympics 2012 swimming: Michael Phelps wants to end career on a high

London - American swimmer Michael Phelps became the first athlete with maximum number of medals in Olympics after winning the 19th medal in London Olympics 2012 on Tuesday.

Michael Phelps is eyeing more glory in the remaining two races at the London Games, as he looks to end his career on a high note.

After winning the gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle with Team USA, Phelps was hailed as a complete legend by the public.

Prior to winning the gold medal in the relay, Phelps faced one of his most exasperating defeats, finishing with silver instead of gold in his signature event, the 200 Butterfly.

The silver medal tied the record for career medals held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, but it was hardly a triumphant moment.
 
But any disenchantment from that race was gone by the time he dived in the water on the relay, having been provided a huge lead by teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens.

Phelps, who made most of the huge lead, thanked his teammates for helping him achieve this magnificent feat.

“I thanked those guys for helping me get to this moment. I told those guys I wanted a big lead. I was like, "You better give me a big lead going into the last lap," and they gave it to me. I just wanted to hold on. I thanked them for being able to allow me to have this moment,” CBS News quoted Phelps, as saying.

Phelps has now won 15 gold medals in his career, six more than anyone else, to go along with two silvers and two bronzes.

But, Phelps still has three more races to go before he retires, three more chances to establish a mark that will be hard for anyone to touch.

“It has been a pretty amazing career, but we still have a couple races to go,” Phelps said.