It was going to be an emotional day in all of swimming as Michael Phelps was set to swim his final race of his decorated Olympic career. This was a race that the United States had dominated this 4x100 medley relay for years. The United States team of Ryan Murphy, Cody Miller, Phelps, and Nathan Adrian won gold to continue their streak of going unbeaten in this relay, making it 14 for 14 in medley relays in which they have swum in.
Phelps' final tally after this race gives him 23 golds and 28 medals all-time. The United States set a new Olympic Record of 3:27.95 in the relay.
US' Main Threats
Great Britain had the fastest time in qualifying but put out their big guns with breaststroker Adam Peaty as their top leg along with James Guy and Scott Duncan. Their team was led off by Chris-Walker Hebborn. Australia was another threat if they kept it close because of Kyle Chalmers swimming the 100 plus Mitch Larkin leading it off.
The final main threat was Japan. They had Ryosuke Irie leading off for the Japanese, followed by Yasuhiro Koseki as their expert breaststroker.
United States Starts Quick Before Britain Comes Back
Murphy kicked it off for the United States and gave the US a huge lead, with a near half second lead over China. He was two-tenths under World Record pace at the first 50. Murphy swam a World Record time of 51.85 in the opening leg, breaking Aaron Peirsol's long-standing World Record. It was a 1.7 second lead for the US after the first leg.
Miller was nearly eight-tenths of ahead of Peaty and Great Britain and also nearly eight-tenths ahead of the World Record. However, Peaty caught Miller to give the Brits the lead heading into the fly with Phelps ready to battle James Guy.
Greatest Of All-Time Delivers Again Before Adrian Closes
The Brits were ahead thanks to a brilliant second leg from Peaty and Guy held off Phelps at the first 50 to keep them in the lead. Despite that, the final turn of Phelps' career was another thing to marvel at, coming out of the water tied with the Brit before passing him to give the United States the slight lead with Adrian still to swim.
The veteran Adrian jumped into the pool and quickly extended his lead to about a second over the Brits with 50 to go. It was smooth sailing the rest of the way for Adrian, helping the United States swim their way to a 14th consecutive Olympic gold in the medley relay. Great Britain finished in second while Australia took home the bronze.