In 2006, a nine-year-old girl received an autograph from Michael Phelps and was, quite understandably ecstatic. Her barely contained glee in the picture is proof enough.
The young girl was none other than United States' Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky. And while she was a child at the time, Phelps had already won six Olympic golds.
And now, ten years later, the duo re-created the now iconic photograph on Monday for TODAY with a small change.
Only this time, Phelps was the one receiving Ledecky's signature and needless to say, the picture went viral.
A lot can change in 10 years! @katieledecky with @MichaelPhelps in 2006 and today in Rio! #Rio2016 #RioTODAY pic.twitter.com/cYwUyz3PZO
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 15, 2016
"We are in great shape, not only with Katie but with the team that we have now. Katie's doing her thing and she's breaking records every time she gets in the pool. It's been an honor for me to be a part of the team with her and some of the younger guys that we have coming up in the sport that are going to take over, Phelps told Today.
While Ledecky won five medals, including four gold, and also made two world records at the Rio Olympics, Phelps won his fifth gold of the Rio Olympics and his 23rd overall as he brought down the curtain on his glittering Olympic career.
Phelps overall has also won three silvers and two bronzes, making for a total of 28 Olympic medals.
"I'm just ready for something different," the 31-year-old who made his debut at the 2000 Games in Sydney at age 15, said after the event, according to CBS Sports.
"My swimming career might be over, but I have the future ahead of me to turn the page and start whatever I want. It's not the end of a career, it's the beginning of a new journey."
With IANS inputs