Michael Phelps: Reviewing USA Megastar's Historic Olympic Career

Michael Phelps' amazing Olympic career is now complete. He will retire as the most decorated Olympian in the history of the Games.

Phelps came to London needing three medals to surpass former Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina's record of 18 overall medals. Phelps did not just pass the record, he destroyed it, by winning six medals in his seven Olympic events.

He will leave the competitive stage with 22 medals in his illustrious career.

In Phelps' first event of the 2012 Olympics, he and fellow American Ryan Lochte were expected to battle it out for gold in the 400-meter Individual Medley. Lochte won the race, and Phelps finished a disappointing fourth.

After his slow start, Phelps began to find his rhythm and focus, winning medals in his next six events.

In the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, Phelps and the US team took home a silver medal. The US team was leading heading into the final leg, when French swimmer Yannick Agnel passed Lochte to win the gold.

Phelps was also beaten out at the wall in the 200-meter butterfly, after leading for the vast majority of the race. Chad Le Clos from South Africa narrowly out-touched Phelps and won by five one-hundredths of a second. In his first three events, Phelps had nonetheless tied Larynina's all-time record with 18 overall medals.

Up next was the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. The US team surged to a sizable lead after the first three legs. Phelps was swimming the anchor leg and was able to bring home the gold for the United States. Prior to the race, Phelps somewhat jokingly implored his teammates to give him a big lead, and they did just that.

Phelps' next race was the 200-meter Individual Medley and a much anticipated re-match with Lochte. Phelps and Lochte both swam well, with Phelps leading after the breaststroke, which is the third leg of the medley. Heading for home in the freestyle, Lochte gave it his all, but could not catch Phelps, who won his first individual gold medal of these Games.

In the 100-meter butterfly, Phelps' final individual race, we saw an epic swim. Phelps was in seventh place after the first 50, then turned it on. He surged past his competition to win the 17th gold medal of his career.

In his final Olympic race, the 4x100-meter medley relay, the US team of Matt Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Nathan Adrian and Phelps took home the gold medal. This was a fitting end to his great career. It was great to see the crowd roaring in appreciation and Phelps acknowledging them.

Phelps began his Olympic career as a 15 year-old at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Although it was a great experience for him, he did not win a medal.

In 2004, in Athens, Phelps was outstanding, winning six gold and two bronze medals. His great Olympic run of medals had just begun.

It was in 2008, in Beijing, where Phelps was the most dominant athlete of the Games. He swam in eight events, five individual and three relays. Phelps took home gold in every one. His eight gold medals in any one Olympics broke the previous record of seven, set by Mark Spitz in 1972.

Now, at the age of 27, Phelps' incredible career has come to an end. He leaves London with a total of 22 career Olympic medals, including 18 gold. We have all been very fortunate to watch something very special. 

Michael Phelps is by far, the greatest Olympic athlete the world has ever known.