On August 8, 2016, on Rio Games, obtained Michael Phelps, in the free 4×100 relay, his nineteenth gold medal.
The number 23 in total metals up to that moment, in a triumphant journey that had begun in Athens 2004 and elapsed by Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In Sydney 2000 she was 15 years old.
But even in her tender bisonship, she finished fifth in the 200 butterfly.
In Brazil the best swimmer who has seen this planet was amazed again, to admire returning from a personal hell.
The permanent and hidden struggle against depression, that uncompassable weakness in a maximically competitive world, had led it to a couple of arrests for driving under the effects of alcohol.
A photo with a water pipe of those used for smoking marijuana was faraged by a generalized discredit.
He became a creditor to federal sanctions and cancellation of advertising contracts.
He caressed suicidal temptations.
Its sentimental relationship, initiated in 2009, with Nicole Johnson, a model former Miss California, shiprakaba, refloit and returned to shipwreck unbalanced, another cause, another effect, his world.
Michael was one of those victims of success, which often hurts more than failure.
He felt a puppet.
Golden, but puppet.
A character created by others, who, although well-intent, pushed him to look for the “hardest yet”.
He decided that he did not want to be what he was.
At least up to such extremes.
After London he decided to stop.
He was the unbearable “weight of gold” (“Weight of Gold”), a title of a documentary of 2020 in which, already withdrawn, he opened intimately in Canal.
But the pool, whose bright waters could become so dark, had to rescue it;
And do it in a cathartic way more than dramatic.
Taumaturgical before traumatic.
After all, it was his life, if he took the influence of the water on the voluntary and Redeemer side.
The way to reunion and reconciliation with itself.
Towards the resurrection.
Michael underwent an antidepressant treatment and resolved his problems with Nicole, with whom he contracted marriage in 2015. And he became a father.
He also made peace with his.
His life stabilized.
He was ready for river at 31 years old.
The last Hurray!
In principle, it was not expected to intervene in the 4×100.
He was destined to 4×200.
Other strictly faster men existed in the US expedition.
In addition, Michael had not swimmed 100 in the trials, but 200. But everyone put from him to pay homage in the last battle of him.
And he was not a compassionate choice either.
Michael swame the post of him at 47.12.
Days later he won more medals.
Four gold (200 butterfly, 200 styles, 4×200 free, 4×200 styles) and one silver (100 butterfly).
He thus closed his Olympic History with the exhaustion produced by abundance and under the weight, this time repaired, of 28 medals in total (23 gold, three silver and two bronze).
And end.
The End.
