After 16 years, five Olympics and six world championships, Michael Phelps career has finally drawn to a close. Or so he insists. But to put his jaw-dropping accomplishments into perspective, you have to dig a bit deeper. Phelps was born with a gift and worked tirelessly to maximize its potential.I want to be able to look back and say, Ive done everything I can, and I was successful, Phelps told ESPN before the Olympics. I dont want to look back and say I should have done this or that.He is without question the greatest swimmer who ever lived, and arguably the greatest athlete of our generation, as well. The latter might be up for debate. What isnt in question is the utter dominance with which he performed. From a teenage boy to a grown father, it didnt matter. Heres a look at just some of the staggering numbers Phelps leaves behind.The Phelps medal haulPhelps leaves the pool with a record 23 gold medals in 30 Olympic races. Here is a breakdown of what he won and when:Michael Phelps won races ... by a lotPhelps (and others) hinted throughout the week that the 2016 Olympics might be the end of his competitive swimming career, and he made it official after his final race here Saturday night. Either way, Phelps leaves Rio as the most decorated Summer Olympics athlete in history. And while a few of his races over the years have been close (that 0.01 edge in the 100 butterfly in Beijing, anyone?), Phelps average margin of error has been impressive.* As of Aug. 11WaterloggedAll of those races and victories come with a lot of training and time in the pool. *-According to a breakdown by North Baltimore Aquatic Club high-performance director Keenan Robinson, Phelps has logged more miles than youd travel on a one-way flight from Rio to Sydney, Australia.If Phelps were a country ...The swimmer has so much hardware, he outranks most countries in swimming gold medals alone: United States (247), Australia (60), East Germany (38), Hungary (28) and Phelps (23). But here is where his 23 golds overall stack up against the world.* Phelps is tied for 37th overall with South Africa.One final thought ...For the first time in his life, the Olympic experience wasnt all about winning?-- it was the process of getting there. Which is why those close to Phelps are optimistic that the next chapter of his life will be far brighter than it might have once looked.Additional reporting by ESPN Stats & Information. Adidas Ray Shero Jersey . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. Kyle Palmieri Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.cheapdevilsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-martin-brodeur-jersey . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Cory Schneider Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Cheap Devils Jerseys China . Reigning world champion Eve Muirhead of Scotland opened with a 12-2 rout of Winnipegs Jennifer Jones in a battle of teams bound for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. The Great One is back where his legend was created.Wayne Gretzky was named Wednesday as partner and vice chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group, the parent company of the Edmonton Oilers, which he led to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s.Gretzky last month was hired by the NHL to act as an official ambassador during the leagues centennial year celebration.Ive had opportunities over the last three, four or five years to be involved in the NHL, Gretzky said. I chose to step back and take my time. We felt like this was a really great opportunity for me to get back in the game and do what we all want to do: win a Stanley Cup. Im privileged and proud to be back as an Oiler.Now hes back working with an NHL team for the first time since he stepped down as head ccoach of the Arizona Coyotes in September 2009.dddddddddddd.Im nervous for a hockey game tonight, Gretzky joked when speaking with ESPN. Its been a while!Bob Nicholson, the CEO of the Oilers Entertainment Group, had a longstanding relationship with Gretzky dating back to when he was president of Hockey Canada and named The Great One executive director of Team Canada for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and the 2006 Torino Games.Gretzky also has a good relationship with Oilers owner Daryl Katz and there has long been speculation that some form of role for Gretzky would eventually happen in Edmonton. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '