Michael Phelps is Heading to Historic 5th Olympics in Rio

Legendary athlete Michael Phelps made history as he became the first U.S. male swimmer to qualify for five Olympic games after winning the 200-meter butterfly at the U.S. swimming trials in Omaha, Nebraska Wednesday night.

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“I think that means the most to me,” he said as tears welled in his eyes. “With everything that’s happened to me, sort of being able to come back, that was probably harder than any swim I’ve had in my life.” Phelps said.

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist retired after London 2012, came back in 2014 but was kicked off the national team after he was arrested for a second time for driving under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded guilty and completed a 45-day rehab program at an Arizona treatment center.

After that episode, a fifth Phelps Olympics seemed implausible, if not impossible, but now it is a fact and he joins Dara Torres as the only Olympian to compete in five Olympic games. Torres qualified for five separate Olympics between 1984 and 2008.

Phelps made his first Olympic team in 2000 in Sydney, when he was 15. At age 31, he is now the most decorated athlete in Olympic history.