Phelps swam a 1:53.93 to break his own world record of 1:54.58 set in 2001 and became the first man to swim under 1:54.00. It would be nice if historians talk about Michael Phelps winning seven gold medals and losing the eighth to 'some guy.' On Saturday night, the 31-year-old won his record twenty-eight Olympic medal with 23 of them gold. [105] On July 29, Phelps, along with Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay and Klete Keller, won the gold in the 4200-meter freestyle relay with a time of 7:06.58. [237] Phelps's leg proved to be the decisive factor in the race, and Gilot later remarked "As fast as my teammates were, the extraterrestrial that is Phelps was faster". Article Title: Michael Phelps Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/athletes/michael-phelps, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: July 28, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. [33] Phelps has said Bowman reminded him of a drill sergeant because of his disciplined and regimented ways. Get some calories into my system and try to recover the best I can, Phelps said at the time. Phelps then broke his own record at the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, with a time of 1:54:58, earning his first international medal. [62] About half an hour later, Phelps earned his final gold medal when the United States team won the 4100-meter medley relay. [240] (Federica Pellegrini would be the second swimmer to do so at the 2020 Olympics.) Phelps confirmed that he was retiring following the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, in June 2017, he cleared up his eating habits: Dont believe everything you read. His rise to stardom began at the age of just 15 when he took part in the 2000 Summer Olympics and despite winning no medals, showed great potential . The Americans were the first team to break the seven-minute mark in the relay, and broke the previous record, set in Melbourne, Australia, by more than four and a half seconds. Phelps and Johnson have three sons:Boomer Robert (b. [257][258][259] Phelps retired from competitive swimming again following the Rio Olympics. In Athens he won six gold medals and two bronzes, falling just short of Mark Spitzs world record (seven golds at Munich 1972). [183] About an hour later, Phelps returned to the pool to win the 200-meter butterfly. *Phelps is a former WR holder in this event, however, his personal best came in a 2nd-place finish to Ryan Lochte's new WR at the 2011 World Championships. Phelps dominated again, finishing in the top seed position with a world record time of 51.47. With the latter win, Phelps captured an unprecedented 19th career Olympic medal, surpassing the record set by Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina. Afterwards, Thorpe said "I'm really proud of him not just because he won eight golds. [199] In his third final, the 200-meter butterfly, he won his first gold medal with a time of 1:53.34 to become the first swimmer to win five gold medals in one discipline at the World Aquatics Championships. CNN . The final time of 3:33.48 was a world record. 'I don't think so', "Rio 2016 | Simone Biles dazzles while Phelps wins his 22nd gold on day 6", "Phelps breaks ties for most overall & gold individual medals", "Phelps named USOC's male athlete of the Rio Olympics", "Olympic Great Michael Phelps Ending Retirement", "Michael Phelps left with one meet before Olympic Trials", "Michael Phelps on Olympic future: 'I am not coming back in four years', "Where Does Michael Phelps Rank Among Great Athletes Of All Time? [103] Two days later, on July 28, Phelps finished seventh in the 100-meter freestyle final. There he added to his unparalleled medal count by winning golds in the 200-metre IM, 4 100-metre medley relay, 4 100-metre freestyle relay, and 4 200-metre freestyle relay as well as a silver in the 100-metre butterfly. I was probably eating anywhere between like 8 to 10 [thousand] probably at my peak where I was really growing. [281][282], At age 19 in November 2004, Phelps was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in Salisbury, Maryland. I don't think that's going to happen Over the next four years, I'd like to try some different events, maybe not do some of the events I did here. [230] Phelps's 100 m freestyle times at the Trials were not impressive. After dating on and off since 2011, Phelps popped the question in February 2015. Nicole Phelps knows she's "married to the most incredible human being," Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, but their love . [116] In his third event, the 4200-meter freestyle relay, Phelps, along with Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay, and Klete Keller, won the gold medal with a time of 7:05.28. It was his gold in his signature event, the 200-metre butterfly, that captured the most international attention. Phelps swam a 51.10 (also under his former world record), but had to settle for silver. [279][280], In January 2018, Phelps revealed that he has struggled both with ADHD and depression, having contemplated suicide after the 2012 Olympics. Unlike previous years, theres no long-term plan.. This was Phelps's 4th consecutive gold medal in the event as well as his 4th in the Games. [36][37] Phelps served as a volunteer assistant coach at Michigan. His diet reportedly consisted of hefty choices like two pounds of pasta and entire pizzas. "[154] On August 16, Phelps won his seventh gold medal of the Games in the men's 100-meter butterfly, setting an Olympic record for the event with a time of 50.58 seconds and edging out his nearest competitor avi, by one hundredth (0.01) of a second.[155]. He broke his first world record at the age of 15, less than a year after his first Olympic performance. Lochte failed to medal. [210], On July 31, 2012, Phelps won a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly behind South African Chad le Clos by 5/100ths of a second, and a gold medal in the 4200-meter freestyle relay, thereby equaling and then surpassing Larisa Latynina to become the all-time record holder for most Olympic medals won. Phelps is just under 6 feet, 4 inches tall. I'm happy with how things finished," he said. I'm retired. [221] In May 2014, he won the 100-meter butterfly event at the Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte, North Carolina. [278] Phelps is also a fan of the Baltimore Ravens and stated that he found his life purpose and desire to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics after seeking Ray Lewis's advice. Astrological Sign: Cancer. Editor's note (8/15/16): U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won his 23rd gold medal last night during the 400-meter medley relay at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Phelps has set 39 world records, the most of all time. He currently practices at Terra Nova Counseling. He was born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, and was named after his father as Michael Fred Phelps the Second. Making the longest televised putt in history. In his first event, the 400-meter individual medley, Phelps won gold ahead of Erik Vendt with a time of 4:12.48. Phelps was born in Baltimore on June 30, 1985, and got serious with the sport after joining the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. Michael Phillips is a marriage & family therapist in Citrus Heights, CA. [89][90] Traditionally, the American who places highest in an individual event will be automatically given the corresponding leg in the 4100-meter medley relay final. [80][81] In the event many were calling The Race of the Century, the 200-meter freestyle that was held the following day, Phelps finished in third place behind Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband. "We're competing to represent our country. [27][28] By the age of 10, he held a national record for his age group (in the 100-meter butterfly)[29] and began to train at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under coach Bob Bowman. . You may be upset to hear that Michael Phelps will NOT be competing in the summer Olympic games this year. [132] In his second event, the 200-meter freestyle, Phelps won with a time of 1:44.10, ahead of Peter Vanderkaay's time 1:45.85. But the road to being the world's greatest swimmer did not come easy and is full of weak moments that has led to his two driving under the influence charges (DUIs) and his famous bong incident. [298], In 2017, Phelps joined the board of Medibio, a company focused on diagnosis of mental health disorders. Thats kind of when everything started to hit harder, knowing that was the last time Ill wear the Stars and Stripes in a race, he said. "[138], Phelps set an Olympic record in the preliminary heats of the 400-meter individual medley. . [223][224] The relationship between Phelps and coach Bob Bowman had deteriorated in the preparations for London 2012, so Phelps convinced a skeptical Bowman that he "wasn't training for history. Phelps entered the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing with the goal of breaking Spitzs record of seven gold medals at one Olympics. The following article was. [231], Phelps was chosen to be the American flag bearer at the opening ceremony, which was the first Olympic opening ceremony that he would attend. 50 Y Free: Time. He won four gold medals, in the 4-by-200-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter butterfly and 4-by-100-meter medley relay; and two silver medals, in the 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay and 200-meter butterfly. [115] In his second event, the 400-meter individual medley, Phelps easily won with a time of 4:10.47, 3.38 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Robert Margalis. He repeated the achievement of winning the same event at three Olympics the following evening, winning the Olympic gold medal in the 100 m butterfly, his last individual event. [117] In his fourth event, the 200-meter backstroke, Phelps won the silver medal, finishing behind Aaron Peirsol 1:56.81 to 1:54.44 (a new world record). The following year, at the same event, he broke his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:09.09. Coach Bowman coached Phelps through all five Games, and all 28 medals. She called Phelps deserving of the record.[213]. This was the fourth gold medal for Phelps. He won gold medals in the 100-meter butterfly (50.45 s),[226] 200-meter butterfly (1:52.94),[227] and the 200-meter individual medley (1:54.75). A prodigy at his sport, he went to Sydney 2000 aged just 15 the youngest man in the USA team for an Olympic Games in 68 years). [63] Phelps did not swim in the finals, but still earned a medal because he swam in the heats. Team: Aquajet Swim Team / Minnesota. Phelps began swimming when his two older sisters, Whitney (born 1978) and Hilary (born 1980), joined a local swim team. He also set the record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympics by winning eight gold medals, in the 4-by-100-meter medley relay, 4-by-100-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter butterfly, 4-by-200-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter individual medley and 100-meter butterfly. His large frame, broad shoulders and big feet, which act like fins in the water, made his body the perfect fit for swimming. At the 2005 World Championship Trials, Phelps decided to drop his specialty events, the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter butterfly, and experiment with the 400-meter freestyle and the 100-meter freestyle. Michael Phelps was only 15 when he made the American team for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Whitney tried out for the U.S. Olympic team in 1996, but injuries derailed her career. Even though he did not win a medal . Times. This gave Phelps an automatic entry into the medley relay, but he deferred and Crocker swam instead. Phelps's team won the gold medal in a time of 7:02.67. [153] Phelps responded, "When people say things like that, it fires me up more than anything. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Phelps won his 14th career gold medal, the most gold won by any Olympian surpassing swimmer Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven golds. Michael Phelps is an American swimmer who holds the record for the most Olympics medals won by any athlete at 28, including 23 gold medals and 13 individual golds. After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation, which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles. I'm not going to swim for anyone else. While he didn't win a medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, he would soon become a major force in competitive swimming. "[35] After the 2004 Summer Olympics, Bowman was hired as the head coach for the University of Michigan after Jon Urbanchek retired. He became the youngest male to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years. . [65] In his first event, the 400-meter individual medley, Phelps easily won with a world record time of 4:08.41. Phelps went on to compete in the 200-meter individual medley, an event dubbed "the Duel in the Pool" because he faced off against friend, teammate and rival Ryan Lochte, the world record holder in the race. [21] Phelps later revealed that the 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. [270][271] They have three sons together. [251] He also became the third Olympian to win the same individual event four times, after athletes Al Oerter and Carl Lewis. [55] In the final of the 200-meter butterfly, on July 23, Phelps easily won the gold medal, but did not come close to his world record with a time of 1:54.35. He turned professional at 14, supplanting Phelps by one year as the youngest male swimmer to forsake his amateur status. At the age of 28, Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympian in history. [82][83] Although this race ended the chance to match Spitz's record, Phelps had savored the challenge even though it was not his strongest event, saying "How can I be disappointed? In his second event, the 200-meter freestyle, Phelps won silver for the second consecutive time at a World Aquatics Championships. The athletic great described how he would fall into a state of despair after the highs of his Olympic victories, often seeking to medicate himself through drugs or alcohol. [114] In his first event, the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps won in a world record time of 1:53.80, his first world record in two years. Apart from Spitz, Matt Biondi (USA, eight golds) and Jenny Thompson (USA, eight golds), no other swimmer worldwide has managed more than six gold medals in total. Shortly after graduating from Towson in 2003, 17-year-old Phelps set five world records, including the 200-meter individual medley at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, with a time of 1:56:04. He has competed in the Summer Olympic games in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016. Phelps, 37, shared several throwback photos on Monday, Oct. 24, of himself with his dad . Phelps, along with teammates Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, and David Walters, set a new world record in the event with a time of 3 minutes, 27.28 seconds. In 1994, his parents divorced and Michael, along with older sisters Whitney and Hilary, remained in the care of their mother Debbie. He went on that year to win his first international title at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan. [145] Phelps remarked that Bernard's pre-race comments of "smashing the Americans" had "fired me up more than anything else". [293] The Foundation has since developed two other programs, Level Field Fund-Swimming and Caps-for-a-Cause. [242] In the ready room prior to the preliminary race, Le Clos's shadow boxing while Phelps "glowered in a corner" spawned the Internet meme with the hashtag #PhelpsFace. [269] They met in 2007 at the ESPYs, broke up in 2012, reconciled, and got engaged in February 2015. Phelps retired following the 2012 Olympics, but he made a comeback in April 2014. All Rights Reserved. ", "Michael Phelps' other claim to fame? Fred visited his son in rehab, and the two worked out their issues. After he saw swimmers Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan compete at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Phelps began to dream of becoming a champion. [122] His lead-off time was faster than the winning time in the individual 100-meter freestyle final later in the meet.