For a majority of viewers, the 2016 Rio Olympics were one of the most spectacular Olympic games yet. We got to see a ton of great competition with some records set along the way. What stood out the most about the 2016 Olympics, in particular, is the fact that we are seeing the last of not one, but two of the greatest Olympians to ever compete, one claiming the title of the most decorated Olympian in history the other claiming the title of the fastest man on earth.

That’s right, fan favorite Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt have reached the point in which they will no longer compete in the Olympics.

Michael Phelps, who was recently deemed to be the most decorated Olympian, is leaving team U.S.A’s swim team after a 16 year Olympic Career. His career started when he qualified for the 2000 summer Olympics. It's no shock that he is as great as he is since he was able to qualify at the age of 15, making him the youngest Team U.S.A add-on in nearly 70 years. Surprisingly, 15-year-old Phelps made his way to the finals where he took 5th. Just a few months later, Phelps competed in the World Aquatics championship where he not only won his first gold medal in the 200-meter Butterfly race, but he set a world record doing it as well becoming the youngest male to set a world record in swimming. Once Michael Phelps reached the 2004 Summer Olympics, he had tuned himself into a swimming machine. While competing at the 2004 summer Olympics, Phelps was able to claim 6 Gold Medals along with two bronze medals. What was even more surprising with his performance was the fact that he broke some sort of record (national/Olympic/world) obtaining all but one medal. From here, he only got better. In the 2008 summer Olympics, Phelps amazed the world when he was able to bring home a whopping 8 gold medals, setting world records obtaining all but one of those gold medals in which he only set an Olympic record. During the 2012 summer Olympics, he was able to obtain four gold medals and two silver medals rather quietly. Which left him to his last Olympic showdown during summer 2016. Phelps was able to completely dominate his way to 5 gold medals and obtained the first three-way tie silver medal in Olympic history. His 100 meter butterfly race, which he obtained the silver medal, was a little personal as he lost to Singapore’s Joseph Schooling who had befriended Phelps when he was younger. At the conclusion of his final Olympic race, Phelps turned to the crowd and gave thanks to them with tears in his eyes. He was later spotted celebrating his retirement with his family in the pool.

Usain Bolt, who can easily be named the fastest man on earth, began his Olympic journey 12 years ago. He started his career by competing in the 2004 Carifta games where he was named the most outstanding athlete. Fortunately for the upcoming Jamaican sprinter, he was selected to run for the Jamaican Olympic team despite the fact that he was recovering from a hamstring injury. He was able to compete in the 2004 Olympics; however, his injury held him back and he was eliminated from competition in the first round. His next Olympic performance, at the 2008 Olympics, was the complete opposite. Bolt amazed fans all over the world as he snagged three gold medals while he also set world records obtaining them. The shocking thing about this mind-blowing performance is that it only made Bolt seek to do better. He did just that at the 2009 World Championships by beating his own time and yet again setting the world record in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races. His performance in the 2012 Olympics granted Bolt with yet another World record as he and the Jamaican 4x100 team dominated their way to gold. He was also able to beat his previous Olympic time in the 100-meter dash and set a new Olympic record. For his last Olympic showcase, Usain Bolt sought to set a new batch of records. Throughout the qualifying rounds, Bolt seemed to be dominating the competition while not putting a full effort in. When he came to the final stretch of the 100-meter and 200-meter finals, we saw Bolt digging to push himself to the world record. Although he completely dominated the competition, he fell short of the world record. After his final race, which bolt and his 4x100 team took gold, Bolt bolted off the track and turned to a Jamaican fan section and celebrated and gave thanks.

At the end of the day, it is a sad thing to think about knowing we may never see Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt compete ever again, but at the same time, you have to smile because we were fortunate enough to see these two athletes compete at a level we may not see again for awhile. So to Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, thank you for the mind-blowing and entertaining performances over the years and good luck to whatever life has in store for you next.