Michael Phelps: 'I'm not coming back in 2020'
— -- RIO DE JANEIRO -- After winning his fifth medal at the Rio Olympics,? Michael Phelps?dismissed the idea of participating in the 2020 Games.
The most decorated Olympian of all time finished his individual races with a three-way tie for the silver medal behind? Joseph Schooling?of Singapore in the 100-meter butterfly Friday night.
"I'm not competing in four years," Phelps told reporters, rejecting comments made by? Ryan Lochte?earlier Friday about Phelps' possible presence in Tokyo.
"He said he's going to retire after 2012, and I was the only one that said he'd come back," Lochte said about Phelps. "And I think he's coming back again. He loves that excitement, loves that challenge on the block against seven swimmers. I think with a different purpose, he's going to come back and push his limits. I'll be back and I want him back because we push each other. USA needs this. He's been the backbone."
Phelps, who will be 35 in 2020, closed the door right after stepping down from the podium.
"I'll clarify: Ryan [Lochte] doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm not coming back in 2020. I saw that today and I thought, 'Oh, thanks Ryan! Throwing me out there for another four years.' If he wants to come back for another four years, it will be fun to watch," Phelps said.
Throughout Phelps' comeback for Rio, he insisted the 2016 Games would be the last competition of his career. But during a news conference last week, Phelps left open the possibility of competing after these Olympics.
"I'll say this just in case of a comeback ... my potential last Olympics. Just so you guys don't beat me to death if I come back. No, I'm not. But I'll just say that," Phelps told reporters while answering a question about his son, Boomer, being able to see him compete in Rio. It was the first time Phelps had even hinted Rio might not be the end.
Saturday will be the final day of swimming for Phelps in Rio and the last opportunity to add one more medal to his all-time Olympic record of 27. He will compete in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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