Take away all of the United States' gold medals, and the nation would still lead the Summer Olympics medal count entering the final day in Rio de Janeiro.The U.S. has accumulated more medals in all three categories than any other country in the Olympics. It can pad its final tally with strong showings in basketball, volleyball and boxing, among Sunday's other medal events.On the shoulders of Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky and Simone Biles, the U.S. has already topped the 104 medals it earned in London four years ago. With the Olympics winding down, let's look back at some of the Rio Games' most memorable performers. SwimmingPhelps fell shy of a gold sweep, but five gold medals and a silver still make for one heck of a send-off.The decorated swimmer left Rio with 28 career Olympic medals and 23 gold, both records by comfortable margins. Some skeptics may expect another comeback in 2020, but the 31-year-old has insisted this is the end.Upon returning from Rio, his battleground turned into a retreat to enjoy retirement with his family, as he shared on Instagram:While the sport loses a legend, his legacy will live in those drawn to the pool by his success. Photos circulated of Phelps with Ledecky and JosephSchoolingwho spoiled Phelps' farewell by beating him in the 100-meter butterflywhen each 2016 Olympic gold medalist was still a kid.He discussed the lasting impact he hoped to make with Yahoo Sports'Jeff Passan.Weve all seen the photo of Katie and I when she was nine or 10 and the photo of Joe and I, Phelps said. I wanted to change the sport of swimming. Thats what I wanted to do. With the people in the sport now, I think youre seeing it.Speaking of Ledecky, she stole the spotlight by winning all three of her individual events by increasingly incredible lengths. Nobody else was in the frame when she finished the 800-meter freestyle.NBC Olympics documented the latest world record she broke to earn her fourth gold medal in Rio:The scary part' The 19-year-old may not have peeked yet. Assuming Phelps stays retired this time, she's poised to become the main attraction in Tokyo four years from now and the only plausible threat to match Phelps' tally.These weren't the only two American swimmers who drew performance-based headlines. Simone Manuel claimed two gold and two silver medals, becoming the first African-American female to win an individual swimming event.Maya DiRado also accrued four medals (two gold), and 35-year-old Anthony Ervin won the 50-meter freestyle.GymnasticsBiles, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas and Madison Kociancombined to net more medals than all but 27 countries.Per SportsCenter, the Final Five broke a U.S. Olympic record:If not limited to two representatives in the individual all-around competitionBiles and Raisman won gold and silver, respectivelythey might have claimed 10 medals.Including the team all-around event, Biles contributed to all four of the team's gold medals.As a result, she was selected to serve as the country's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony.She expressed her gratitude in an official statement, per USA Today'sRachel Axon:It's an incredible honor to be selected as the flag bearer by my Team USA teammates. This experience has been the dream of a lifetime for me and my team and I consider it a privilege to represent my country, theUnited States Olympic CommitteeandUSA Gymnasticsby carrying our flag. I also wish to thank the city ofRio de Janeiro, and the entire country of Brazil, for hosting an incredible Games.Per OlympicTalk's Nick Zaccardi, the honor has not gone to a gymnast in some time:Biles met the hype on the vault and floor exercise, missing a sweep only because of a balance-beam misstep after which she still netted bronze.Raisman returned to twice place as the runner-up to Biles, so will the 19-year-old sensation come back as the veteran in four years' Ask again after she takes some well-earned vacations.She'd unfortunately have to lead a smaller squad, as theInternational Gymnastics Federation voted to limit rosters tofourmembersper country. The change goes into effect for the 2020 Tokyo Games.
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