Phelps now owns five individual world records: the 100 butterfly, the 200 butterfly, the 200 freestyle, the 200 individual medley and the 400 individual medley. No other person in the world, man or woman, has more than two. He was also a member of three American relay teams that hold world records.

“Everything I’ve done is something I’ve wanted to do and something I’ve dreamed of,” Phelps said. “I will say, I would have liked to have gone eight-for-eight in Beijing, but it feels good to have that one. Looking back at some of the things I’ve done, it’s just been incredible.”

Phelps made it a point to pay tribute to Crocker several times after the race. For years, their duels were some of the most exciting in swimming. A movie, Unfiltered, was even made about their rivalry. In 2003 at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, Phelps grabbed the world record in the 100-meter butterfly for the first time (51.47) in the semi-finals, but Crocker took it away the next night (50.98). Two years later at the 2005 World Championships in Montreal, Crocker handed Phelps the worst defeat of his career, going 50.40 while Phelps went 51.65.

Crocker, who retired after the Beijing Olympics, sent Phelps a text message recently wishing him luck and telling his old rival he wanted him to break the record. “That meant a lot from a competitor, a friend and a classy guy,” Phelps said.

“He and I had amazing battles back and forth, and those are something I’ll definitely miss.” (LATWP)