Michael Phelps Biography

Michael Phelps is an American retired competitive swimmer and also known to be the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. He holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, Olympic gold medals in individual events , and Olympic medals in individual events . Phelps broke fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games , when he won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games.

He had already tied the record of eight medals of any color at a single Games by winning six gold and two bronze medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Phelps won four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London , and at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won five gold medals and one silver. This is what made him the most successful athlete of the Games for the fourth Olympics in a row.

He is the holder of the long course world in the men’s 100 meter butterfly, 200 meter butterfly, and 400 meter individual medley as well as the former long course world record holder in the 200 meter freestyle and 200 meter individual medley. He is also the winner of 82 medals in major international long course competition, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and 3 bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Pan Pacific Championships.

Due to his international titles and record-breaking performances he earned himself the World Swimmer of the Year Award eight times and American Swimmer of the Year Award eleven times, as well as the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award in 2012 and 2016. However due to his unprecedented Olympic success in the 2008 Games he earned Sports Illustrated magazine’s Sportsman of the Year award.

Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation after the 2008 Summer Olympics , which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles. After Phelps retired following the 2012 Olympics he later made a comeback in April 2014. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro his fifth Olympics, he was selected by his team to be the flag bearer of the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations. On August 12, 2016 Phelps announced his second retirement, having won more medals than 161 countries. He is often regarded as the greatest swimmer of all time.

Michael Phelps Age | How Old Is Michael Phelps |Michael Phelps Hometown

He was born on June 30th , 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland and raised in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of nearby Towson. He is 33 years old as of year 2018.

Michael Phelps Family | Michael Phelps Parents | Michael Phelps Mom | Michael Phelps Sisters |Michael Phelps Father

Phelps was born on 30th June 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of nearby Towson. He is the son to Deborah Sue “Debbie” who is a middle School Principal and his father, Michael Fred Phelps, who is a retired Maryland State Trooper who played football in high school and college and tried out for the Washington Redskins in the 1970s. Phelps is the youngest of three children. In 1994, when he was nine years old his parents divorced, and in 2000 his father remarried. Phelps later revealed that his parent’s divorce had a severe negative impact on him and his siblings, and his relationship with his father was distant for a few years after the divorce.

After retirement in 2016, he stated that the only reason he ever got in the water was because of his mom wanted him to just learn how to swim. His sisters and himself fell in love with the sport, and they all decided to swim.

Michael Phelps Education | Michael Phelps College

Phelps attended Rodgers Forge Elementary, Dumbarton Middle School, and Towson High Schoolm where he graduated in 2003.

Michael Phelps Swimming |Michael Phelps Training

Phelps by the age of 10, he held a national record for his age group that is in the 100-meter butterfly and began to train at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under coach Bob Bowman. More age group records followed, and as of August 21, 2018, Phelps still held 11 age group records, eight in long course, and three in short course.

Michael Phelps 2000 Olympics

In 2000 Sydney Olympics Phelps’ rapid improvement culminated. He qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics at the age of 15, and became the youngest male since Ralph Flanagan in 1932 to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years. Though he did not win a medal, he did make the finals and finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly.

Michael Phelps 2008 Olympics

Phelps competed in six individual events at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trial. He broke his own world record of 4:06.22 with a time of 4:05.25 Phelps broke his own world record of 4:06.22 with a time of 4:05.25, in his first event of the 400-meter individual medley. The 200-meter freestyle which was his second event, he won with a time of 1:44.10, ahead of Peter Vanderkaay’s time 1:45.85. Phelps ‘s third event, the 100-meter freestyle, he placed second in his heat with a time of 47.92, ensuring him a spot on the relay.

The 200-meter butterfly which was his fourth event, he won with a time of 1:52.20. Phelps broke his own world record of 1:54.98 with a time of 1:54.80 in his fifth event, the 200-meter individual medley. In his sixth event which was final, the 100-meter butterfly, Phelps won with a time of 50.89. When asked about his chances of winning eight gold medals in Beijing, Phelps said that he is going to prepare for that meet just like he do every other meet … There is only so much he can do in a month and then he his going to prepare himself for the best that he can.

Michael Phelps 2012 Olympics

For the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps had stated that he would never do eight events again, and would instead try new events. Phelps stated that he would keep saying he want to go down and start sprinting, but Bob [Bowman, Phelps’s coach] really isn’t so keen on that … he said he don’t think that’s going to happen … Over the next four years, he would like to try some different events, maybe not do some of the events he did here. However, at the 2012 United States Olympic Trials, the qualifying meet for the 2012 Summer Olympics, he qualified in the same eight events that he swam in Beijing in 2008.

Phelps later dropped the 200-meter freestyle from his program, as he stated he wanted to focus on the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Phelps finished first in the 200-meter freestyle during the trials, 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, and second in the 400-meter individual medley. Phelps holds the record for men for the most Olympic appearances in swimming representing the United States in making his fourth Olympic team.

Michael Phelps 2016 Olympics

The 2016 Summer Olympics at the US trials in Omaha, Phelps won the 200 m butterfly (1:54.84), the 200 m individual medley (1:55.91), and the 100 m butterfly (51.00 s) events. This made Phelps the first American male swimmer, and the second American swimmer overall after Dara Torres, to qualify for a fifth Olympics. His 100 m freestyle time at the Trials were not impressive. But at a final training camp in Atlanta a week before heading to Rio, Phelps put out “the fourth-fastest flat-start time of the year” in a 100 free time trial, automatically securing one of the seven spots on the Men’s 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay for the Olympics.

Michael Phelps Gold Medals| Michael Phelps Olympic Medals | How Many Gold Medals Does Michael Phelps Have| Michael Phelps Gold

Athens 2004

Beijing 2008

London 2012

Rio 2016

Michael Phelps Medal Count | Michael Phelps Total Medals

Michael Phelps the most decorated athlete in Olympic history, American swimmer finished his career with 23 gold medals and 28 overall. He was just 15 years old when he made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Games in Sydney. The young Phelps put the world on notice with a fifth-place finish in the 200-meter butterfly final though he didn’t medal in Australia .

Phelps would go on to win eight medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, eight in Beijing in 2008, six in London in 2012 and six in Rio.

Michael Phelps Weight |How Tall Is Michael Phelps

Phelps stands at a height of 6ft 4 (193 cm) and his body weight is 194lb (88kg).

Michael Phelps Butterfly | Michael Phelps Backstroke

The butterfly stroke. It’s loathed by many swimmers, celebrated by some, and truly mastered by a select few.

The greatest swimmer Michael Phelps, made the stroke his bread and butter over 5 Olympics on his way to winning a mind-numbing 28 Olympic medals. Though to most of us, however, it’s a battle to keep our head above water while moving forward in a moderately graceful manner.

Michael Phelps Quotes

1. Swimming is normal for me. I’m relaxed. I’m comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It’s my home.
2. You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.
   I can only control my own performance. If I do my best, then I can feel good at the end of the day.
3. I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time.
4. I think everybody pees in the pool. It’s kind of a normal thing to do for swimming.
5. If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.

Michael Phelps Girlfriend

He is married to former Miss California USA Nicole Johnson. The couple secretly married on June 13, 2016, but the marriage was not publicly reported until four months later. The two met in 2007 at the ESPYs, broke up in 2012, reconciled, and got engaged in February 2015. They have a son named Boomer Robert Phelps born on May 5, 2016 and a second child, son Beckett Richard Phelps who was born on February 12, 2018.

Michael Phelps Home | Michael Phelps House

They live in Paradise Valley, Arizona, an affluent town adjoined to Phoenix, where Phelps volunteers alongside Bowman as an assistant coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils swim team.

Michael Phelps Nationality | Michael Phelps Race

He is  an American,  English, German, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descent.

Michael Phelps Book

1. No Limits: The Will to Succeed
2. How to Train with a T. Rex and Win 8 Gold Medals
3. Beneath the Surface Aug 20, 2008
4. No Limits Jul 06, 2009
5. Michael Phelps Commercial

Michael Phelps Swimsuit |Michael Phelps Photos | Images

Michael Phelps Facts

1. Like Father Like Son
2. His father, Fred, was an all-around athlete and a state trooper
3. The Inspiration For Swimming. At the age of 7, he started swimming mainly because of his sisters and also to vent out his energy.
4. He Can’t Pay Attention!, he was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when he was in 6th grade
5. First Dip
   When he was 7, he was tentative to put his head underwater, hence, was asked to float around on his back
6. A Sensational Performance At The Olympics
7. By winning a total of 8 medals, with 6 gold, he was a complete sensation at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Michael Phelps World Record

Michael Phelps Twitter

Tweets by MichaelPhelps

Michael Phelps Interview

Life After Eight Gold Medals

What’s life like for you these days?
I don’t even know what my life’s like now. It’s a blur. I’ve been on the road non-stop.

So there’s no typical day?
No. If I have a day off, I’ll sleep until two in the afternoon, just to catch up on sleep. I’ve worked out 4 times since Beijing. I’m a little out of shape.

Are you still eating the same way we all heard about?
No, God no.

How He Got Started

So why did you start swimming?
I grew up around the pool with my sisters. Both of my sisters swam. I was always there. So I thought, why not? My mom put us in the water for water safety, so we were comfortable in the water in case anything ever happened. I learned that way, and started liking it more and more.

When you were learning, were you afraid of the water?
I started on my back because I wouldn’t put my face in. I really wasn’t too keen on it.

So you weren’t like “I love swimming.”
The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with it.

I read in an interview that your mom put you in sports because you had too much energy.
Well, I was playing other sports and she was pretty much just like, “How do I wear him down?” So I was playing baseball, lacrosse, soccer and swimming all at once. When I got home I’d be beat.

Did it help you in other ways, like with your ADHD?
It helped me relax. I felt comfortable in the water. I was in my own world, focused. I love sports and I’m a very goal-oriented person. Once I started falling in love with sports, it was easy. I was able to put my mind on something and go for it. That’s how I am with everything, it doesn’t matter what it is that I do. If I want to do something, nothing will stand in my way.

Why did you stick with swimming and not baseball, lacrosse or soccer?
At the age of 11 my coach told me I could make the Olympic team in four years, so I said “Okay, I want to make the Olympic team, so that’s what we’re going to do.” And I started training for that. I went five straight years without ever missing a workout. Every single day, 365 days a year.

On Handling Tough Times

Have you ever felt like quitting?
Oh, oftentimes.

What kept you in it?
Well my mom would ask me “Are you sure that’s the best decision?” And I’d think, think, think. And I’d realize that actually it wasn’t the best decision. At a very young age, I wrote down the goals that I had so I could always see what I wanted to accomplish. And I would look at that goal sheet and think “I still want to do this.” So I’d decide “I’m not quitting. ”

Who taught you to write a goal sheet?
My coach. I was 11 when I started it and I’ve done it ever since.

How did you use your list? Would you think about it during the day?
I would visualize the best-and worst-case scenarios. Whether I get disqualified or my goggles fill up with water or I lose my goggles or I come in last, I’m ready for anything.

How do you handle disappointments?
They probably help me more. I don’t like to lose. If I fail, I ask myself, “What can I do to make sure that doesn’t happen again?”

I read that last year you broke your wrist and you had to go to practice and do other things, like using a kickboard, which sounds awful. Did anything good come out of it?
It made me realize that things can change in the blink of an eye and it also made me realize that when you use your imagination anything can happen. I was very negative for the first few days after I found out my wrist was broken, and I had a lot of time to think. I realized that all the people that told me I can’t do it, that this is going to make it even harder? You know what? I’m gonna do it.

What do you tell a kid that is discouraged, hasn’t found that passion yet or is struggling in school?
I have had extreme ups and downs. The biggest thing I learned after I broke my wrist is to never give up. Nothing in life will ever come easy. It depends on how you deal with those obstacles and how you overcome those obstacles. If you can overcome them, you’re a stronger person. If you make mistakes along the way, as long as you never make that same mistake again, you’re a successful person.

On Finding Balance

When you were growing up, how did your mom help you balance swimming with school?
My mom instilled in me at a very early age how important education was and how that came first. I couldn’t go play sports if we didn’t get everything else done — and I love sports. I’d go from the swimming pool to school to the swimming pool, come home and do my homework. I’m kind of a creature of habit. Once I get used to doing things, it’s like second nature.

It’s hard for parents to know if they should push extra-curriculars — instruments or athletics or whatever.
My communication with my mom was always awesome. I’m a very vocal person and I speak what I feel. No matter what it was, she’d say “Are you sure you want to do this?” She’d let me make up my own mind.

So what were you like on the playground? What were you doing at recess?
I was very, very competitive.

What was in your lunchbox when you were little? Did you have like 18,000 calorie lunches?
My lunches were awful. My mom would give me peanut butter and honey sandwiches. I was like, “Mom! Where are the little tiny Twinkies? I want some Twinkies! I want some fruit snacks! Come on!” I never got them. I ended up trading with kids at lunch.

What a mean mom! I’m sure she did crazy things like driving you to practice at four in the morning, too. Do you plan to drive your kids to practice at four in the morning?
Hey, enough with the kid talk!

So, parenting is not uppermost on your mind right now?
I’m not looking to have a kid, not right now. My dog is good, but he just barks.

Michael Phelps stirred up some controversy when pictures of him smoking pot surfaced. Is 23 too old to pull the youth card? Can Phelps be knocked down from his pedestal, or should we give him a break?

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