American swimmer Michael Phelps confirmed that he will finally hang up his speedos after the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Michael Phelps holds his silver medal at the Mens 100m Butterfly Victory Ceremony at the Olympics Aquatics Ceremony at the Rio Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016. Image: AFP.
Michael Phelps holds his silver medal at the Mens 100m Butterfly Victory Ceremony at the Olympics Aquatics Ceremony at the Rio Olympics, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 12, 2016. Image: AFP. (TRT World and Agencies)

Michael Phelps made it clear that he would not backtrack on his decision to quit swimming after the Rio Olympics following his shocking defeat in his final individual race on Friday.

Phelps was inevitably asked the golden question that is on everyone's mind after missing out on his fifth gold of the Games following his defeat by Singapore's Joseph Schooling in the 100m butterfly on Friday, and dead-heating with Chad le Clos and Laszlo Cseh for silver.

"Nope, done," he said when asked whether or not he will compete at the 2020 Olympics.

"I'm not going four more years. I'm standing by that. I've been able to do everything I've ever put my mind to in the sport -- 24 years in the sport.

"I'm happy with how things finished," added Phelps, who will retire as the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 27 medals, a staggering 22 of them shiny gold.

"That's why I came back after 2012. I didn't want to have a 'what if?' 20 years later. Being able to close the door on this sport the way I wanted to, that's why I'm happy now."

USA's Michael Phelps smiles after he placed second in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016. Image: AFP.
USA's Michael Phelps smiles after he placed second in the Men's 100m Butterfly Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016. Image: AFP. (AFP)

Phelps, 31, had considered retirement after the London Olympics and also when his career was threatened to end in humiliation two years ago when he was arrested for drunk driving.

He looked like nothing could stop him in Rio, right up until Asian champion Schooling thrashed him in the 100m fly, an event he had won at the past three Olympic Games.

"I'm ready to retire and I'm happy about it," said Phelps, looking forward to marrying girlfriend Nicole Johnson later this year and having the chance at spending more time with his baby son Boomer, who was in Rio to watch his dad race.

"I'm in a better state of mind this time than I was four years ago. I'm ready to spend some time with Boomer and Nicole and watch the little dude grow."

There was even a feeling of brotherhood in the air between Phelps and fierce rival le Clos following a war of words between the two swimmers since London, where the South African narrowly defeated Phelps for gold in his pet race, the 200m fly.

Phelps, who exacted revenge on le Clos in Rio, held hands with Cseh and his arch rival, as the three men stood awkwardly together on the same step of the podium.

"I think it was a bit long we were holding hands," smiled le Clos. "It was about three minutes. We were on the podium and it just happened -- it almost felt like a relay!"

Source: TRTWorld and agencies