Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps Rio Olympics 2016

Michael Phelps Rio Olympics 2016.jpg Phelps at the 2016 Rio Olympics

Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, 1985) is an American former competitive swimmer and the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16).

Early life

Michael Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in the neighborhood of Rodgers Forge. He attended Towson High School and began swimming at the age of seven, partly because of the influence of his sisters and partly to provide him with an outlet for his energy. By the age of 10, he held a national record for his age group (in the 100-meter butterfly) and began to train at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under coach Bob Bowman.

Career

2000 Summer Olympics

At the age of 15, Phelps competed in his first Olympic Games at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, becoming the youngest male to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years. Although he did not win a medal, he finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly.

2004 Summer Olympics

Phelps won eight medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, including six gold and two bronze medals. He tied the record for the most medals of any Olympic athlete in a single Games.

2008 Summer Olympics

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Phelps won eight gold medals, breaking fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games. Phelps set world records in seven of those events and an Olympic record in the eighth.

2012 Summer Olympics

Phelps won four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. This brought his total Olympic medal count to 22, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time.

2016 Summer Olympics

In the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Phelps won five gold medals and one silver, bringing his total to 28 medals. He retired from competitive swimming after these Games.

Personal life

Phelps has been open about his struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has used his platform to advocate for mental health awareness. He married Nicole Johnson in 2016, and they have three sons.

Legacy

Michael Phelps is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. His achievements have earned him numerous accolades, including the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award in 2008. Phelps' impact on the sport of swimming and the Olympic Games is profound, inspiring a new generation of swimmers.

See also

• List of multiple Olympic gold medalists
• List of multiple Olympic medalists
• List of Olympic records in swimming
• List of world records in swimming