Olympic Swimming Results 2012: Day 8 Recap, Top Times and Medal Standings

There have been plenty of amazing moments at the Aquatic Center in London thus far, but Day 8 marks the completion of the Olympic swimming program. The main draw will be American star Michael Phelps, who will compete in his final event as he maintains that he will retire at the conclusion of the Games.

Phelps became the greatest Olympian of all time during the London Games, as he passed Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina for the record of most total medals won. Phelps now has 21, and will look to go out on a winning note in the 4x100-meter medley relay and make it a final total of 22.

In addition to that, the American women are among the favorites to take gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay. Also, the world's fastest female swimmer will be determined in the 50-meter freestyle race, and the grueling men's 1,500-meter freestyle race will be contested as well.

Here are all the results, medal winners, times and standings following the final swimming events of the 2012 London Olympics.

Women's 50-Meter Freestyle

Gold: Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Netherlands (24.05 seconds, Olympic Record)

Silver: Aliaksandra Herasimenia, Belarus (24.28 seconds)

Bronze: Marleen Veldhuis, Netherlands (24.39 seconds)

Dutch swimmer Ranomi Kromowidjojo entered the women's 50-meter freestyle event the heavy favorite as the reigning world champion and after qualifying with the best time in the semifinals, and she certainly didn't disappoint. Kromowidjojo won with an Olympic-record time of 24.05 seconds, taking her third medal of the London Games and second gold, as she was victorious in the 100-meter free as well.

Kromowidjojo was in control from the start, but anything can happen over such a short distance. Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus took the silver with a time of 24.28 seconds, while Kromowidjojo's countrywoman, Marleen Veldhuis, won bronze.

While these Olympics have been fruitful for Herasimenia, they likely have been frustrating, as she also finished second to Kromowidjojo in the 100-meter freestyle event.

Jessica Hardy of the United States finished seventh with a time of 24.62 seconds and never factored much into the race. Although the 50 free may not receive as much attention as it once did, Kromowidjojo is now officially the fastest female swimmer in the world.

Men's 1500-Meter Freestyle

Gold: Sun Yang, China (14:31.02) - World Record

Silver: Ryan Cochrane, Canada (14:39.63)

Bronze: Oussama Mellouli, Tunisia (14:40.31)

Favored Sun Yang of China won gold in the 1,500-meter freestyle and established a new world record, but it almost didn't come to be. Yang false-started prior to the race, and it looked as though he might be disqualified, but he apparently heard a noise in the crowd and was allowed to remain in the race. Yang made the most of his second opportunity and blew away the next-closest competitor by more than seven seconds.

Canada's Ryan Cochrane came in second to capture the silver and established a new personal best. He edged out Oussama Mellouli of Tunisia, who won gold in this event in Beijing, but settled for a bronze in London.

The lone American in the race was Connor Jaeger, and although he turned in a good effort, he only was able to finish sixth and couldn't keep up with the lead pack. He finished nearly 22 seconds behind the winner, but he acquitted himself and Team USA well.

With Yang's win, China pulled to within one gold of the United States in the overall medal standings and took the lead in total medals by a score of 50-49.

Women's 4x100-Meter Medley Relay

Gold: USA (3:52.05, World Record)

Silver: Australia (3:54.02)

Bronze: Japan (3:55.73)

The United States women's 4x100-meter medley relay team didn't qualify particularly well, but that is because the most of the squad's top swimmers were held out of qualifying. That wasn't the case in the finals, however, as Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Vollmer and Allison Schmitt dominated the race and won gold by a margin of two seconds.

Australia was considered the next-closest competitor and ended up with silver, but wasn't a threat across the final 200 meters. Japan was able to sneak in and capture the bronze. Each of the women on the U.S. team had captured individual gold in London, so it is no surprise that they combined to form a super team.

Franklin handled the backstroke, Soni swam the breaststroke, Vollmer was the butterfly specialist who opened up a big lead for the Americans and Schmitt closed it out with the freestyle. Team USA hadn't won this relay since 2000, but it leaves London with gold in two of the three relay events.

As if that wasn't enough, the United States won in world-record time, surpassing what the Chinese were able to do back in 2009.

Men's 4x100-Meter Medley Relay

Gold: United States (3:29.35)

Silver: Japan (3:31.26)

Bronze: Australia (3:31.58)

If this was indeed Michael Phelps' swan song, then he will be going out on top, as Team USA pulled away late to easily win the 4x100-meter medley relay, which was the final swimming event of the London Games. The United States men have never lost this particular relay, and that record remains intact.

Japan gave the U.S. a good run through the first three legs, but ultimately couldn't keep up, as it took the silver, while Australia ended up with bronze. The win gives Phelps 22 career Olympic medals, 18 of which are gold. Also, after a shaky start to these Olympics by his standards, Phelps will leave London as the most decorated male swimmer in 2012 with six more medals.

Things were tight early as Matt Grevers did the backstroke for Team USA and Brendan Hansen handled the breaststroke. Hansen was passed by old rival Kosuke Kitajima of Japan, so Phelps entered the water for the butterfly at a disadvantage. Phelps caught and surpassed the Japanese in his final Olympic swim, allowing 100-meter freestyle gold medalist Nathan Adrian to cap things off with a blistering split.

In one respect, it is sad to know that the greatest swimmer and Olympian ever is set to retire, but it is appropriate that he was able to go out on top. This race is one that Phelps and his many fans certainly won't soon forget.

Final Swimming Medal Standings

Ranking	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
USA	16	8	6	30
Japan	0	3	8	11
China	5	2	3	10
Australia	1	6	3	10
France	4	2	1	7

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