Ricky Berens Reflects on the Iconic Suit Split & His Olympic Journey 🏅

Ricky Berens, 3-time Olympic medalist, has officially retired.<br>Berens has experienced it all as a swimmer. In his early years, age 14, he broke Michael Phelps butterfly record, a moment that kick-started his confidence and set him on the path to being a world-class swimmer. Hes been an NCAA Champion, American record holder, World Champion, World recorder holder and an Olympic Champion.<br>Berens has two Olympic gold medals, both in the 4x200 freestyle from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. He also has a third Olympic medal, a silver, as a part of the mens 4x100 freestyle relay at the 2012 London Olympic Games.<br>Berens retired briefly after the London Olympic Games, then, seven weeks later, returned to competition. Berens had a little more to accomplish in the pool, which he did at the 2013 American Short Course Championships, breaking the American record in the 200 yard free, clocking a swift 1:31.31.<br>Last summer Berens swam his final international competition and won his final gold medal at the 2013 FINA World Championships in Barcelona. With Conor Dwyer, Ryan Lochte and Charlie Houchin, Berens team won the 4x200 free relay.<br>Berens is a very visible Olympic Ambassador, represented by the sports management company Octagon.<br>This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host, Gold Medal Mel Stewart, is a 3-time Olympic medalist and co-founder of swimswam.com, a swimming news and lifestyle website.