Michael Phelps is the subject of this column. Perhaps you've heard of him. The guy with 23 gold medals. He's actually from Baltimore. He doesn't like the Steelers, and he's text buddies with Ray Lewis. I feel like it should all ring a bell of some sort for you.
After another brilliant week of work in an Olympic swimming pool, Phelps has been pretty convincing about his plans to retire. In interviews with NBC's Michele Tafoya and Bob Costas Aug. 12-13, he's been almost defiant. This is it. He means it this time. He's not coming back in four years. As a father and future husband, he has other things to do in his life, and it's time to move on from swimming.
For some, Phelps' confidence in his conviction has been met with skepticism. But many others have echoed his emotions and feelings that this is the "right time" to go out. Phelps has spoken significantly about where he was as a person following the 2012 Olympics (which he had previously alleged were his last) and why it was important for him to be in a better place when he retired. With the true star of the Rio games (his son Boomer) there with his fiancée and mother in the stands watching Phelps pile on five more gold medals, it all just seems so ... perfect. Why would he possibly want to potentially ruin the epic final scene of the movie by coming back in four years? Ryan Gosling is already in perfect shape for the role!
