Image Credit: https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/michael-phelps-over-the-years/2/

Humble Beginnings

Michael Fred Phelps II was born on 30 June 1985. The Baltimore native began swimming with his sisters at seven years old. Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD soon after, and his mother was determined to have him remain in the pool to teach him discipline. The young boy called the North Baltimore Aquatic Club his home and soon fell in love with the sport, as it was an outlet for him to channel his extra energy.

At the tender age of 15, it was clear that the teenager had immense potential in the sport. Phelps became the youngest athlete to represent Team USA in the Sydney 2000 Olympics, finishing a respectable fifth in the 200m butterfly. Athens 2004 was when Phelps truly captured the world’s attention with six gold and two bronze medals. The 2004 Games also showed everyone watching why he is a true gentleman— he gave up his spot in the finals of the 4x100m medley so that USA teammate Ian Crocker could leave Athens with a gold medal. Crocker previously had a disappointing showing, failing to qualify for the 100m freestyle and got a bronze in the 4x100m freestyle final.

 “If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”

Athens 2004

Image Credit : http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2012/07/30/a-goldless-michael-phelps/

Phelps, second from left, with his USA men’s 4×100m relay team

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/08/olympics-swimming-michael-phelps-jason-lezak-2008-relay-beijing 

Turning Heads, Making Waves

By the time the 2008 Beijing Olympics came to a close, Phelps bagged an astonishing eight gold medals, one for every event he entered. In doing so, he edged out American swimming great Mark Spitz’s previous record of seven golds in Munich 1972. Even more amazingly, “The Baltimore Bullet” broke World Records for seven of those events. Phelps did similar phenomenal runs in London 2012 as well as Rio 2016, winning nine golds and three silvers between these two Games. Rio 2016 was also where he shared silver with Chad Le Clos and Laszlo Cse behind Singaporean phenom Joseph Schooling who took the gold in the 100m butterfly. It was to be his last individual race. The swimming icon rounded it all off in the 4x100m medley, swimming a flawless butterfly leg for Team USA to snag his 23rd Olympic gold.

Image Credit : https://www.esquire.com/sports/news/a51719/michael-phelps-olympic-medals/

But perhaps his swimming success at the wider international stage is even more extraordinary. Phelps has a total haul of 69 gold, 16 silver, and nine bronze medals from the Olympics, World and Pan-pacific Championships. His unparalleled achievements have made him an eight-time World Swimmer of the Year Award, an eleven-time American Swimmer of the Year and two-time FINA Swimmer of the Year. In 2016, FINA also specially awarded him with the title of “Aquatic Legend, the Greatest of All Time” in a tribute to his lifelong achievements in the pool.

“You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”

Diving Deeper

Phelps is also an inspiration to many outside of competition. He founded the Michael Phelps Foundation after the Beijing 2008 Games to support youth and children around the world who might not have easy access to learning how to swim. Beyond promoting an active lifestyle and health and wellness through swimming, the foundation raises awareness for mental health issues through developing mental health curriculums for children.

As an athlete under Project Believe by the United State’s Anti-Doping Agency, Phelps allowed himself to be tested more times than official requirements. He passed all nine drug tests administered to him during the Games. Phelps also exhibits entrepreneurial qualities, releasing the MP line of technical swimsuits in April 2015. He partnered with Aqua Sphere for this project, and can be seen as a pioneer in the market, as brands bearing a swimmer’s name were practically unheard of.

“I won't predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible.”

Image Credit : http://blogs.reuters.com/photographers-blog/2012/07/30/a-goldless-michael-phelps/

The Greatest Of All Time

Now that the now-retired Phelps has cemented his legacy as the true GOAT of swimming, he spends his days dedicated to his brand as well as the MP Foundation. He frequently mentors other athletes, promotes social campaigns and enjoys swim meets as a spectator. Above all, he spends quality time with his wife and three children. Michael Phelps may be gifted in swimming, but hard work and consistency was what got him to the top. From hyperactive kid to record-breaker, his story is a true testament to the strength of the human spirit. With grit and determination, anything is possible.

I’m Isabel, your friendly uni student who’s always waddling knee deep in readings and projects. But I’ll go through hell and high water to have regular suppers with my friends. You can find me with a film camera in one hand and a flat white in the other on the weekends. Also am able to rescue you if you ever capsize from a sea kayak.