(CNN) -- Michael Phelps rounded off his record breaking career with his 18th Olympic gold medal as part of the winning U.S. 4x100m medley relay squad Saturday.
It was his fourth gold in London -- two individual, two team -- and extended his all-time Games record to 22 medals.
Phelps swam the third butterfly leg and helped overhaul surprise leaders Japan to give Nathan Adrian a small lead for the freestyle finish.
The U.S. men's basketball team celebrates winning the gold medal after defeating Spain on the final day of the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 12.
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He had started his final Games with a disappointing fourth in the men's 400m individual medley behind teammate Ryan Lochte and was pipped in his trademark 200m butterfly by South African Chad le Clos.
But ever resourceful, Phelps, who won eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008, ended the meet as the leading swimmer with four golds and two silvers.
Fellow American 17-year-old Missy Franklin ended as the top female swimmer in terms of medal tally in London as she joined Allison Schmitt, Rebecca Soni and Dana Vollmer to win their medley relay in a world record time of three minutes 52.05 seconds.
Franklin also broke the world record in winning the 200m backstroke, one of her four gold medals, backed up by a bronze.
The most emphatic victory on the final night of swimming finals came courtesy of China's Sun Yang in the men's 1500m, the longest race in the pool.
A shout from a spectator distracted Sun and he false started, but was quickly reinstated in the race.
Once underway, it was a procession as he added to gold in the 400m freestyle by smashing his own world record with a time of 14 minutes 31.02 seconds.
"I thought I was going to be disqualified," Sun told gathered reporters. "I didn't expect the false start and I was very worried about being disqualified."
Sun ended with two golds -- the first man from China to win an Olympic swimming title -- and a silver from the 200 free.
Canadian Ryan Cochrane was more than eight seconds back with Beijing champion Oussama Mellouli in third.
The other gold of the night went to Ranomi Kromowidjojo, who took the women's 50m free from Aliaksandra Herasimenia of Belarus and Dutch teammate Marleen Veldhuis.
It completed the 50-100 double for Kromowidjojo.
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With hands over their hearts, the U.S. team listens as "The Star Spangled Banner" is played after the team was awarded their gold medals.
Kevin Durant, center, is triumphant at the end of the gold medal match against Spain on Sunday.
LeBron James goes up for a shot as Serge Ibaka of Spain attempts to block.
Pau Gasol of Spain drives past Kevin Love of the United States.
Kobe Bryant of the United States shoots a three-point shot over Juan-Carlos Navarro of Spain.
With victory in sight, U.S. players players come off the bench near the game's end as Marc Gasol of Spain walks off.
U.S. wrestler Jacob Varner waves the Stars and Stripes after winning the gold medal in the men's 96-kilogram freestyle event on Sunday, August 12.
Varner defeated Ukraine's Valerii Andriitsev in the gold medal match Sunday.
Varner revels in his victory over Andriitsev.
Varner defeated George Gogshelidze of Georgia in the semi-final match to move on to the finals.
Standing on the podium after receiving their medals are, left to right, silver medalist Andriitsev, gold medalist Varner and bronze medalists George Gogshelidze of Georgia and Khetag Gazyumov of Azerbaijan.
American David Boudia performs a dive in the the men's 10-meter platform diving final. He won gold with China's Bo Qiu taking silver and Great Britain's Tom Daley winning bronze.
David Boudia performs in the men's 10-meter platform diving final.
David Boudia reacts to winning gold in the men's 10-meter platform final.
David Boudia celebrates winning the men's 10-meter platform diving final with teammate Nicholas McCrory, who finished ninth.
Seimone Augustus, number 5, and Angel McCaughtry, number 8, celebrate with the rest of the U.S. women's basketball team after defeating France 86-50 to win the gold medal.
Members of the U.S. women's basketball team hug after defeating France.
France's Edwige Lawson-Wade, in blue, goes up for a shot against Sue Bird in the second half.
Maya Moore, in white, leaps for the basket against France's Florence Lepron in the second half.
DeeDee Trotter, Allyson Felix, Sanya Richards-Ross and Francena McCorory, from left to right, are all smiles after winning gold in the women's 4x400-meter relay final.
Sanya Richards-Ross of crosses the finish line to win gold for her team.
Sanya Richards-Ross of the United States is triumphant as she crosses the finish line.
Allyson Felix receives the relay baton from DeeDee Trotter during the women's 4x400-meter relay final.
The U.S. women's 4x100-meter relay team -- from left, Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight, Tianna Madison and Allyson Felix -- set a new world record in the final.
The U.S. women's 4x100-meter relay team wave the flag to celebrate their world record and gold medal winning victory.
Carmelita Jeter of the United States celebrates winning gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay.
U.S. wrestler Jordan Ernest Burroughs celebrates with the national flag after defeating Iran's Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi in the men's freestyle gold medal match.
Burroughs, in blue, grapples with Goudarzi in the gold medal match.
Burroughs, in blue, competes with Goudarzi in the gold medal match.
Burroughs is declared the winner after defeating Goudarzi.
From left to right: Silver medalist Sadegh Saeed Goudarzi of Iran, gold medalist Jordan Ernest Burroughs of the U.S. and bronze medalists Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan and Denis Tsargush of Russia on the podium of the men's 74-kilogram freestyle.
United States players celebrate winning the women's water polo gold medal match against Spain on Thursday, August 9, Day 13 of the London Olympics.
The U.S. team celebrates its gold medal win at the Water Polo Arena in London.
Maggie Steffens of the United States shoots and scores a goal against Spain in the women's water polo match Thursday.
Forward Abby Wambach is ecstatic after the United States defeated Japan 2-1 in the women's soccer gold medal match on Thursday, August 9, Day 13 of the London Olympics. Wambach missed the 2008 Games due to a broken leg.
The United States women's soccer team begins the celebration after defeating Japan, avenging its 2011 World Cup final loss.
Midfielder Carli Lloyd of the United States heads in a goal in the first half of the game against Japan. The U.S. women's soccer team took its third straight Olympic gold medal.
Forward Alex Morgan of the United States battles for the ball during Thursday's match against Japan.
Christian Taylor of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the men's triple jump on Thursday.
Christian Taylor competes in the men's triple jump final.
Christian Taylor lands during the triple jump final on Thursday.
Gold medalist Christian Taylor and silver medalist Will Claye, also of the United States, celebrate during the medal ceremony for the men's triple jump. Both athletes attended the University of Florida and are seen doing the "Gator chomp."
Claressa Shields, in red, battles Nadezda Torlopova of Russia during the women's middleweight boxing final. Shields defeated Torlopova 19-12 to take the gold, becoming the first U.S. woman to take an Olympic boxing gold. See more photos of Shields and read her story on CNN's photo blog.
Shields trades punches with Torlopova during the final.
Shields celebrates her victory as the referee announces her win.
Shields leaves the ring after defeating Torlopova.
Shields laughs on the podum after receiving her gold medal.
Allyson Felix of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Murielle Ahoure of Cote d'Ivoire and Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win the women's 200-meter final on Wednesday.
Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, top, dives for the ball during the women's beach volleyball gold medal match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Horse Guards Parade on Wednesday, August 8. She and teammate Misty May-Treanor were playing another duo of Americans: April Ross and Jennifer Kessy.
Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States, left, competes against countryman April Ross during the women's beach volleyball match on Wednesday.
Kerri Walsh Jennings, left, and Misty May-Treanor of the United States celebrate winning the gold medal.
Brittney Reese of the United States competes in the women's long jump final on Wednesday.
Brittney Reese of the United States competes in the women's long jump final.
Brittney Reese of the United States celebrates winning gold in the women's long jump final.
Aries Merritt of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Hansle Parchment of Jamaica to win gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles final.
Aries Merritt of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Jason Richardson of the United States on Wednesday.
Aries Merritt of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles final.
Allyson Felix of the United States crosses the finish line ahead of Murielle Ahoure of Cote d'Ivoire and Carmelita Jeter of the United States to win the women's 200-meter final.
Allyson Felix of the United States celebrates after winning gold in the women's 200-meter final.
Alexandra Raisman of the United States competes in the women's floor exercise final Tuesday, August 7, at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Gold medalist Alexandra Raisman poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's gymnastics floor exercise final on Tuesday.
Alexandra Raisman goes airborne during the floor exercise final.
Jennifer Suhr of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal in the women's pole vault final on Monday.
Jennifer Suhr competes in the women's pole vault final.
Jennifer Suhr shows her emotion after winning gold.
Sanya Richards-Ross wins the gold in the women's 400-meter final at the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday, August 5. Richards-Ross earned the 28th gold medal for the United States.
From left, silver medalist Christine Ohuruogu of Great Britain, gold medalist Richards-Ross and bronze medalist DeeDee Trotter of the United States show off their medals during Sunday's ceremony at Olympic Stadium in London.
From left, Amantle Montsho of Botswana, Richards-Ross, Antonina Krivoshapka of Russia, Trotter and Rosemarie Whyte of Jamaica run the 400-meter final Sunday.
Richards-Ross crosses the line to win the gold.
Richards-Ross basks in her victory.
Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams embrace after winning the women's doubles gold medal match on Sunday.
Serena Williams, left, and Venus Williams play the Czech Republic's Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka at the women's doubles gold medal match.
The Williams sisters talk as they play Hlavackova and Hradecka.
The sisters celebrate after their victory against the Czech players Sunday.
Left to right: Brendan Hansen, Matthew Grevers, Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian pose following the medal ceremony for the men's 4x100-meter medley on Saturday, August 4.
Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
Clockwise: Matthew Grevers, Brendan Hansen, Michael Phelps and Nathan Adrian react to winning gold in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay.
Left to right: Gold medalists Missy Franklin, Rebecca Soni, Dana Volmer, and Allison Schmitt pose during the medal ceremony for the women's 4x100-meter medley relay on Saturday, August 4.
Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay final.
Dana Vollmer, left, and Missy Franklin react after winning gold in the women's 4x100-meter medley relay.
Brothers Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan embrace after defeating France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the men's doubles gold medal tennis match on Saturday, August 4, at Wimbledon.
Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan pose on a podium with their gold medals after winning the men's doubles tennis tournament.
Mike Bryan, left, and Bob Bryan celebrate after defeating France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win gold in the men's doubles event.
France's Michael Llodra and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga compete against Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan of the United States in the men's doubles final.
Serena Williams reacts after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia to win the gold medal in women's singles tennis in London, England, on Saturday, August 4.
Serena Williams hits a return to Russia's Maria Sharapova during the women's singles tennis final.
Serena Williams reacts to winning the gold medal in the women's singles tennis event.
Gold medalist Jamie Lynn Gray of the United States celebrates on the podium after winning the 50-meter rifle 3 positions women's final Saturday, August 4.
Gray aims a shot in the 50-meter rifle 3 positions women's qualification at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London.
Gray adjusts her shooting equipment during the women's 50-meter rifle 3 positions shooting qualification.
Fifteen-year-old Katie Ledecky reacts after winning the women's 800-meter freestyle final on Friday, August 3.
Left to right: Silver medallist Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain, gold medalist Katie Ledecky of the United States and bronze medalist Rebecca Adlington of Great Britain on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 800-meter freestyle final on day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Left to right: Silver medalists Chad le Clos of South Africa and Evgeny Korotyshkin of Russia and gold medalist Michael Phelps listen to the United States national anthem during the medal ceremony for the men's 100-meter butterfly final on Friday, August 3.
Michael Phelps competes in the men's 100-meter butterfly final.
Missy Franklin, left, is congratulated by Elizabeth Beisel after winning gold and breaking the world record in the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Friday.
Missy Franklin competes in the women's 200-meter backstroke final. Franklin took gold in the event and American Elizabeth Beisel took bronze.
Left to right: Silver medalist Anastasia Zueva of Russia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Elizabeth Beisel of the United States on the podium during the medal ceremony for the women's 200-meter backstroke final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Tyler Clary reacts after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final in London on Thursday, August 2.
Tyler Clary celebrates after winning the gold in the men's 200-meter backstroke final. Clary beat Ryan Lochte with an Olympic-record time of 1:53.41.
Left to right: Ryan Lochte, Tyler Clary and China's Fenglin Zhang compete in the men's 200-meter backstroke final.
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps on the podium after winning the men's 200-meter individual medley in the London Olympics.
Phelps, center, dives next to U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte, top, and Japan's Kosuke Hagino at the start of the 200-meter individual medley.
Phelps, who will retire after the Olympics, made history this week when he became the Olympian with the most medals. He earned his 20th in the individual medley event.
Phelps led from the first leg of the butterfly, his specialty, until he touched the wall more than a half-second ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte.
Phelps reacts to winning gold in the 200-meter Individual medley.
Phelps bested Lochte, right, on Thursday to win the gold in their second head-to-head race. Over the weekend Lochte took gold in the 400-meter individual while Phelps could only manage fourth.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas celebrates on the podium after winning the gymnastics women's individual all-around final on Thursday.
American Gabrielle Douglas performs in front of the judges during her the individual all-around gymnastics final on Thursday.
Gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs in the floor exercise at the North Greenwich Arena.
Douglas waves to the crowd after winning the gold medal.
American Kayla Harrison reacts on the podium after winning the gold medal in women's judo on Thursday.
American Kayla Harrison, in white, and Gemma Gibbons of Britain compete in women's judo on Thursday.
Kayla Harrison, in white, and Britain's Gemma Gibbons fight for first place.
United States' Kayla Harrison reacts after winning the match.
From left, Britain's silver medalist Gemma Gibbons, United States' gold medalist Kayla Harrison, Brazil's bronze medalist Mayra Aguiar, and France's bronze medalist Audrey Tcheumeo, pose on the podium after the women's judo competition.
Members of the U.S. rowing team celebrate with their gold medals during the medal ceremony after the women's eight final at Eton Dorney in Windsor, England.
The U.S. team poses on their boat after winning their gold medals.
Americans Zsuzsanna Francia and Esther Lofgren celebrate first place.
Members of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, the silver medal-winning Canadian team and the bronze medal-winning Dutch team line up during the medal ceremony.
U.S. team hug after receiving their gold medals during the medal ceremony.
Wearing their gold medals, members of the U.S. team celebrate in their boat.
The U.S. team throws their cox Mary Whipple into the water after their big win.
A member of the U.S. team wears an Uncle Sam getup after she and her teammates won the gold medal in the women's eight rowing final.
U.S. gold medalists, from left, Dana Vollmer, Allison Schmitt, Shannon Vreeland and Missy Franklin celebrate on the podium after winning the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wednesday.
Dana Vollmer competes in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
From left, Shannon Vreeland, Dana Vollmer and Missy Franklin watch teammate Allison Schmitt finish first to win the relay.
The U.S. team celebrates after winning the 4x200-meter freestyle relay.
The U.S. women's swim team reacts to their victory over Australia.
At left, Shannon Vreeland, Missy Franklin, Allison Schmitt and Dana Vollmer of the United States celebrate next to the Australian team.
Missy Franklin, Dana Vollmer, Shannon Vreeland and Allison Schmitt celebrate on the podium after taking the gold in the women's 4x200-meter freestyle relay on Wedesnday. It was the United States' eighth gold in swimming.
U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian poses on the podium after the men's 100-meter freestyle swimming event on Wednesday.
American swimmer Nathan Adrian celebrates after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle final.
From left, silver medalist James Magnussen of Australia, gold medalist Nathan Adrian of the United States and Brent Hayden of Canada stand with their medals on the podium during the medal cermony for the men's 100-meter freestyle final.
U.S. gold medalist Nathan Adrian celebrates after his win.
U.S. swimmer Nathan Adrian reacts after winning the men's 100-meter freestyle.
American swimmer Nathan Adrian raises his hands in triumph.
Cyclist Kristin Armstrong celebrates winning a gold medal in the Olympic cycling time trial on Wednesday. She also won the medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Armstrong pushes ahead Wednesday during the women's individual time trial road cycling event.
Armstrong celebrates the gold with her son, Lucas, during the medal ceremony.
Armstrong is victorious in London.
From left, gold medallists Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer, Ricky Berens and Michael Phelps pose on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final on Tuesday.
U.S. swimmers Ryan Lochte, center, Conor Dwyer, left, Ricky Berens, right, and Michael Phelps, in the water, react after their win.
American Michael Phelps competes in the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay final.
Michael Phelps set an Olympic record with his 19th lifetime medal.
Gold medalist U.S. swimmer Allison Schmitt stands on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final.
American swimmer Allison Schmitt celebrates after winning the 200-meter freestyle final.
Gold medalist Allison Schmitt poses with her medal.
Allison Schmitt celebrates in the water after winning the gold.
Allison Schmitt, left, is congratulated by Bronte Barratt of Australia after her win.
Gold medalist Allison Schmitt, center, silver medalist Camille Muffat of France, right, and bronze medalist Bronte Barratt of Australia smile on the podium after the women's 200-meter freestyle final on Tuesday.
From left, gold medalist U.S. team McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber celebrate their gold medal in the women's gymnastics team final on Tuesday. They won the United States' seventh gold medal.
The gold medal hangs from the Olympian's neck.
American Kyla Ross and coach Jenny Zhang hug during the women's gymnastics team final Tuesday.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the beam during the women's team final of the gymnastics event.
U.S. women's gymnastics coach John Geddert celebrates with his team after they won the gold in the team competition Tuesday.
American Alexandra Raisman competes on the balance beam Tuesday.
Hancock aims during the men's skeet shooting qualification round Tuesday at the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. The U.S. Army sergeant also won a gold medal in the 2008 Bejing Olympics.
U.S. swimmer Missy Franklin celebrates winning the women's 100-meter backstroke final swimming event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Monday, July 30.
Missy Franklin of the United States wipes a tear from her face as she reacts during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
From left, Camille Lacourt of France, Matt Grevers of the United States and Liam Tancock of Great Britain compete the final of the men's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
American Matthew Grevers (left) celebrates winning gold with silver medalist and fellow American Nick Thoman at the finish of the men's 100-meter backstroke final swimming on Monday.
From left, silver medalist Emily Seebohm of Australia, gold medalist Missy Franklin of the United States and bronze medalist Aya Terakawa of Japan celebrate with their medals during the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke on Monday.
U.S. swimmer Dana Vollmer poses on the podium after winning a gold medal in the women's 100-meter butterfly final at the London Olympics on Sunday, July 29.
Vollmer set a world record in winning the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first woman to go under 56 seconds.
Vollmer celebrates after breaking the world record on Sunday.
Kim Rhode listens to the U.S. national anthem after winning the gold medal in women's skeet shooting Sunday.
Rhode celebrates winning the skeet competition at the Royal Artillery Barracks.
Ryan Lochte celebrates with his gold medal during the men's 400-meter individual medley medal ceremony on Saturday. He captured the first U.S. gold medal of the Games.
Lochte poses with medal on Saturday. His dental braces bear the U.S. flag.
Lochte reacts after winning the men's 400-meter individual medley final. U.S. teammate and competitor Michael Phelps finished fourth.
Lochte competes in the men's 400-meter individual medley final. "I know it's my time, and I'm ready."
The 400-meter individual medley event Lochte won combines four types of strokes.
While Lochte (above) took gold, Brazil's Thiago Pereira secured the silver medal and Japan's Kosuke Hagino won bronze.
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