We do not normally use space for our second editorial on a Monday for sport. But Olympic Games come only once every four years and, more than this, it is hard to imagine that the feats achieved by the subject of our leader – Michael Phelps – will be repeated anytime soon.

Last Saturday, the American swimmer won his 22nd medal at the Olympic Games, 18 of them gold, and confirmed that he will retire. At 27, he may be past his best but could still be in with a shout in the races he competes in, but after years of training and sacrifices, he now wants to enjoy. And he is leaving the sport with a good taste – unlike many other athletes who fail to realise that their time is up and who continue competing in spite of being well past their best.

Michael Phelps competed in his first Olympic Games as a 15-year-old in Sydney, and then went on to take part in three other editions, totaling a record 22 medals – 18 of them gold. "I've been able to do everything that I wanted," he said in his last press conference last Saturday. "If you can say that about your career, there's no need to move forward. Time for other things."

Having hung up his suit, cap and goggles for the last time, the 27-year-old from Baltimore is looking forward to the rest of his life. He wants to travel and see places beyond the pools and hotel rooms of the last 12 years. His intended destinations include Australia and Europe. He wants to go cage diving among great white sharks in South Africa with Chad le Clos, the last man to beat him in the Olympics. "I've been able to see so many amazing places in the world, but I've really never gotten to experience them," Phelps said.

It took nearly half a century for the record haul of Olympic medals to be broken. Before Phelps, that record was held by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina, who in three editions between 1956 and 1964, amassed 18 medals, including 15 in individual competitions.

Now the record belongs to the man from Baltimore, whose feats have also enabled the United States to become the first nation to win more than 500 medals in swimming.

His presence in the pool will be missed, because it is always hard when a champion leaves a sport. But Phelps leaves swimming competitions knowing that he gave it his all. He is an example that others should follow.