At the 2004 Athens Games , Phelps won six gold medals but said his most satisfying finish had been his bronze medal in the 200 - meter freestyle , a race won by Thorpe .
Phelps had relished the chance to race against Thorpe .
At the 2004 Athens Games , Phelps won six gold medals but said his most satisfying finish had been his bronze medal in the 200 - meter freestyle , a race won by Thorpe , because Phelps had relished the chance to race against him .