When you compete in (and dominate) as many Olympic events as Michael Phelps has, things are bound to get wacky at some point.
That’s exactly what happened Tuesday night at the Rio Olympics in the 4x200m freestyle relay, the decorated swimmer’s final race of the evening. Phelps was the anchor of Team USA’s relay team, but as he prepared to swim the last leg, disaster struck — his swimming cap ripped.
When @MichaelPhelps​ rips a cap, you get him one ASAP!
Shout-out Conor Dwyer​ on the assisthttps://t.co/BWGaUNiTHM https://t.co/SBHR3wwAwW
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2016
Teammate Ryan Lochte already was swimming the third leg when Phelps snapped his cap clean off, so he had precious seconds to find a solution. Fortunately, fellow American Conor Dwyer, who swum the first leg, happily lent his cap to the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time.
You can see Phelps panic for a good two or three seconds here, but the cold, calculating competitor took over after that. Swimming with Dwyer’s cap on his head, Phelps easily maintained Team USA’s comfortable lead to pick up his third gold medal of the Games and 21st of his legendary career.
Gold Rush: 2004- 2016.
That’s 4 straight for @MichaelPhelps, @RyanLochte and @TeamUSA. https://t.co/BWGaUNiTHM
https://t.co/3ZszEuG1Di— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2016
Now that’s how you cap off a good night.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
