Everyone has assumed this is Michael Phelps' final Olympic Games. He was the U.S. flag bearer, as voted on by his fellow Olympians. He's received tributes and adulation from fans on social media. And for good measure, he retired after the 2012 Games, and it was a surprise that he even came out of retirement to swim in Rio.
Phelps, 31, might not be done after Rio, however. Ryan Lochte, his longtime friend and U.S. rival, guaranteed Phelps will swim in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
āI guarantee he will be thereā¦ @michaelphelps, Iāll see you in Tokyo!ā -@ryanlochte tells @MLauer #RioTODAYhttps://t.co/4l1iWuCFPW
"Do you want to look in the camera and say, 'Michael, I'll see you in Tokyo?'" Matt Lauer asked.
To which Lochte responded: "You know what, I can definitely say that, 'cause I guarantee he will be there ... I think so. I really think so."Ā
In Rio, Phelps has added four gold medals to his record total and stands as the most decorated Olympian of all-time with 26 medals (22 gold).Ā Lochte, meanwhile, is a 12-time Olympic medalist, with six gold to his name. They've long gone head-to-head, but have maintained a positive relationship. They're also roommates in the Olympic village.
Earlier this week, Lochte said, "I'd be the Michael Phelps of swimming if he wasn't there."
Though we're guessing Phelps hasn't explicitly told Lochte he'll compete in 2020, Lochte knows his lifelong friend well. He likely knows that even though Phelps will be 35 by the time the next Games roll around, the GOAT will be dying to compete.
Phelps swims his final race in this Games Saturday.
Hey, he tried to retire once and didn't like it. Who's to say this superhuman athlete won't give it one more shot? He would probably mess around and win another gold or two.
Send all complaints, compliments, and tips to sportstips@complex.com.
