Michael Phelps

At 39 years old, Michael Phelps has this physical status:

Michael Fred Phelps II, an American former competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals.

Phelps also holds the all-time record for Olympic gold medals (23), Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16).

Phelps defeated fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz's 1972 record of eight first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games, beating eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Phelps had already earned six gold and two bronze medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, breaking the record of eight medals of any color at a single Games.

Phelps earned four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and he earned five gold medals and one silver, respectively.

Phelps is the longest-serving athlete of the Olympics in a row, as well as the former world record holder in the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter individual medley.

He has won 82 medals in major international long course championships, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and 3 bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Pan Pacific Championships.

Phelps' international recognition and record-breaking achievements have earned him 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.

Phelps received the Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award for his unprecedented Olympic success in the 2008 Games. Phelps founded the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008, which focuses on increasing the sport of swimming and encouraging healthier lifestyles.

Phelps resigned after the 2012 Olympics, but he made a comeback in April 2014.

He was selected by his team to be the flag bearer of the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations in Rio de Janeiro, his fifth Olympics.

He announced his second retirement on August 12, 2016, having won more gold medals in 161 countries than ever.

He is often described as the best swimmer of all time.

Early life

Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in nearby Towson's Rodgers Forge neighborhood. He attended Rodgers Forge Elementary, Dumbarton Middle School, and Towson High School. Phelps is the youngest of three children. Deborah Sue "Debbie" Phelps (née Davisson) is a middle school principal who works in the United States. Michael Fred Phelps, a former Maryland State Trooper who played football in high school and college and tried to make the team that now known as the Washington Commanders in the 1970s, is a retired Maryland State Trooper who competed for the Baltimore State Troopers. Phelps is of English, German, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descent. His parents divorced in 1994 when he was nine years old, and his father remarried in 2000. Phelps later revealed that the divorce had a major negative effect on him and his children, and that his brother's relationship with his father was distant for a few years after the divorce. In 2003, he graduated from Towson High School.

Phelps began swimming at the age of seven, partially due to his sisters' influence and partially because of his desire to have a outlet for his enthusiasm. "My only reason I ever got into the water was my mom's request that I learn how to swim," he said after his retirement in 2016. "Irma and myself fell in love with the sport and decided to swim." Phelps was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when he was in his sixth grade. He held a national record for his age group (in the 100-meter butterfly) and started training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club under coach Bob Bowman. Phelps also posted 11 age group records, eight in long course, and three in short course, as of August 21, 2018.

Personal life

Phelps was described as "a solitary man" with a "rigid obsession" at the pool prior to a race, but "afterward, a man who is deeply invested in the success of the people he is concerned about" as the one he cares about." "He's unbelievably kind-hearted," Phelps' encounter with young children after lessons.

Phelps is married to Nicole Johnson, the former Miss California United States. They secretly married on June 13, 2016, but they did not know about it until four months later. They met in 2007 at the ESPYs, broke up in 2012, reconciled, and became engaged in February 2015. They have three sons together, and they have three boys. Phelps volunteers with Bowman as an assistant coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils' swimming team in Paradise Valley, Arizona.

Phelps adored Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe and modeled his public image after Thorpe as a youth. Thorpe said it would be highly unlikely for Phelps to win eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. During the Games, Phelps used the remark as inspiration and taped the terms to his locker. Thorpe was in the stands for the 4100-meter medley relay, where Phelps was swimming for his eighth Olympic gold medal. Thorpe delivered a congratulatory kiss to Phelps' mother as Phelps and his classmates earned the gold, followed by a handshake and a hug to congratulate Phelps. Thorpe continued afterwards, saying, "I'm really proud of him," he said, not because he won eight golds but also because he earned eight gold medals. Rather, how much he has grown up and matured into a strong human being. I've never been so content to have been proven incorrect in my life."

Michael Jordan has also praised him as a sporting hero of his time, and Phelps has claimed that "he changed the game of basketball." Phelps is also a fan of the Baltimore Ravens, and he has stated that after seeking Ray Lewis' help, he has found his passion and desire to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Phelps admitted that he has battled both ADHD and depression, as well as suicide after the 2012 Olympics.

In Salisbury, Maryland, Phelps was arrested at the age of 19 for driving under the influence of alcohol. He pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was sentenced to 18 months of probation, fined $250, ordered to speak to high school students about alcohol use and driving, as well as attending a Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) meeting. When Phelps was later asked about Matt Lauer's appearance on the Today Show, he said he had "let a lot of people in the country down."

A photograph of Phelps using a bong went viral in February 2009; this resulted in the loss of the Kellogg's as a sponsor, as well as a three-month suspension by USA Swimming. Phelps said that the photograph, which was taken at a party at the University of South Carolina, was genuine. He apologised in advance, calling his conduct "inappropriate."

Phelps was arrested in Baltimore in September 2014, this time on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and speeding. As a result, USA Swimming suspended him from all sports for six months, and he has confirmed that he would not be selected to represent the United States in the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in August. The United States failed to qualify for the finals of the 4 100 meter freestyle relay with Phelps off the team.

Source

Swimming career

Phelps has worked under Bob Bowman since he was 11 years old. Bowman worked at Florida State University from 1983 to 1985. Bowman was reminded of a drill sergeant because of his disciplined and regimented manners, according to Phelps. "Training Bob is the smartest thing I've ever done," Phelps said. I'm not going to swim for anyone else." After Jon Urbanchek's retirement, Bowman was hired as the head coach for the University of Michigan during the 2004 Summer Olympics. Phelps joined Bowman in Michigan to train and attend classes for a span of four years, but not pursued a degree. Phelps served as a volunteer assistant coach at Michigan. Bowman returned to Baltimore as CEO of the North Baltimore Aquatic Club after the 2008 Summer Olympics. Phelps and Bowman were also back to Baltimore. Phelps, the men's and women's swimming coach at Arizona State University in 2015, followed Bowman to Arizona to continue training under Bowman. Phelps used to believe that 12,000 calories a day was fine, but Phelps has argued that it was exaggerated and that he did not eat so much even in his growing days.

Phelps' rapid growth culminated when he qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics at the age of 15, the youngest male (since Ralph Flanagan in 1932) to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years. Although he did not win a medal, he did finish in the 200-meter butterfly and placed fifth.

Phelps tied the world record in the 200-meter butterfly to become the youngest male to set a world record in swimming at the World Championship Trials for the 2001 World Aquatics Championships. Ian Thorpe, the youngest male, had held the 400-meter freestyle world record for 16 years, ten months. Phelps set a new world record in the 200-meter butterfly at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, while en route to become a world champion for the first time.

Phelps set an American record in the 200-meter individual medley at Nationals, the 2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships selection meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, just off the world record for the 200-meter butterfly. Phelps beat the world record held by Tom Dolan by a time of 4:11.09, just ahead of Erik Vendt, who came in second with a time of 4:11.27, which is also below the old world record. Phelps was barely defeated by Klete Keller in the 200-meter freestyle, and Phelps defeated Ian Crocker in the 100-meter butterfly.

Phelps captured three gold medals and two silvers at the 2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Yokohama, Japan. Phelps took gold ahead of Erik Vendt in his first event, a 400-meter individual medley. Phelps lost to Tom Malchow in the 200-meter butterfly, finishing behind him 1:55.41 to 1:55.21. Phelps said he lost because he did not take butterfly training seriously after breaking the world record. Phelps set a new personal record in the 200-meter individual medley at 1:59.70. Phelps, along with Nate Dusing, Klete Keller, and Chad Carvin, a 4200-meter freestyle relay, took the silver medal in a time 7:11.81, finishing second behind Australia. Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Phelps, and Ian Crocker were among the U.S. 4100-meter relay team's members. Phelps swam a 51.1 split in the final for the medley relay, the fastest split in history. It was a world record to reach 3:33.48 in the final time.

Phelps captured the 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke, and the 100-meter butterfly at Nationals. He was the first American swimmer to win three different events in three different strokes at a national championship. Phelps set the world record in the 100-meter butterfly at 4.03 seconds, but fell just 0.03 seconds from setting the record by 0.0 seconds. Phelps set a new personal record in the 200-meter individual medley at a meet in Santa Clara, California, taking the 400-meter individual medley record in 1:57.94. Phelps claimed to smash the 200-meter individual medley world record, after Don Talbot said Phelps was unproven, using his words as encouragement.

Phelps captured four gold medals, two silver medals, and set five world records at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships. In the semi-finals for the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps set a new world record on July 22. 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. Phelps took the gold medal in the final of the 200-meter butterfly on July 23, but not in a time of 1:54.35. Phelps swam the lead-off leg for the 4200-meter freestyle relay less than an hour later. Phelps ran a solid time of 1:46.60 (an American record), but the Americans did not have the same depth of the Australians and finished second 7:10.26 to 7.08.58.

Phelps led the 200-meter individual medley. In the semi-finals of the 200-meter individual medley, he set a new world record of 1:57.52 seconds on July 24, beating his own world record of 1:57.52. Phelps set a new personal record by 1:56.04 to win the gold medal on July 25, much ahead of Ian Thorpe in the final of the 200-meter individual medley. Phelps swam in the 100-meter butterfly semi-finals about an hour before the final of the 200-meter individual medley. Phelps dominated once more, finishing in first seed position for the first time in history with a time record of 51.47. Ian Crocker, on the other hand, beat Phelps' world record by a time of 50.98 to become the first man under 51 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly's final. Phelps swam a 51.10 (also under his old world record), but they were forced to settle for bronze. Phelps smashed his own world record by running 4:09.09 to comfortably win the gold medal in the final of the 400-meter individual medley on July 27. Phelps earned his final gold medal after the United States team triumphed the 4100-meter relay about half an hour later. Phelps did not swim in the finals, but he received a medal because he swam in the heats.

Phelps was competing in six events at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials; the 200-meter individual medley, the 100-meter butterfly, the 200-meter freestyle, and the 200-meter backstroke. Phelps took the first event of his four-meter individual medley in 4:08.41, a world record time. Phelps took first place in the 200-meter freestyle two days later, finishing sixth-tenths of a second ahead of Klete Keller. Phelps, on the other hand, was dissatisfied with the end and wanted to be in the 1:45s and was uncertain if he would swim the Athens event. Phelps won in the 200-meter butterfly in a time of 1:54.31, three seconds ahead of second-place finisher Tom Malchow. Phelps was back in the water, finishing second second behind Aaron Peirsol (who set the world record) in the 200-meter backstroke, after two days off. Phelps captured the 200-meter individual medley title less than half an hour earlier than Ryan Lochte by 2.70 seconds. In the 100-meter butterfly, Phelps finished second to Ian Crocker the next day. Crocker set a world record and 0.1 seconds ahead of Phelps in a time of 50.76, a world record and 0.39 seconds ahead of Phelps. Phelps was the first person to qualify in six individual events for a U.S. Olympic team when the trials were concluded. Phelps, on the other hand, shifted his attention away from the 200-meter backstroke to the 200-meter freestyle because he wanted to beat Ian Thorpe. Despite the fact that Phelps did not qualify in the 100-meter freestyle at the Trials, he was still selected for the 4100-meter freestyle relay. Phelps did not deserve a spot on the relay, according to Gary Hall, Jr., who thought that this was unfair. Phelps argued that his squad was too packed to compete in 100-meter freestyle, and he was at least one of the top four swimmers at the time because he had defeated top-seeded Jason Lezak the previous time he had swum against him.

Phelps captured his first Olympic gold medal in a new record time of 4:08.26 seconds in his first appearance. Phelps, along with Ian Crocker, Neil Walker, and Jason Lezak, all finished in third place in the 4100-meter freestyle relay on the following day in a time of 3:14.62. Crocker's lead-off time of 50.05 was the worst on record, and it was attributed to sickness. Phelps came in third place in the 200-meter freestyle that was held the following day, behind Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband in an event many people were naming The Race of the Century. Despite the fact that Spitz's record was not matched, Phelps was adamant to endorse the competition, despite the fact that it was not his best event, saying, "How can I be dissatisfied?" I swam in a field with the two fastest freestylers of all time." Phelps captured a gold medal in his fourth event, the 200-meter butterfly, which took place the following day, smashing Tom Malchow's Olympic record. Phelps, along with Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay, and Klete Keller, finished in first place in a time of 7:07.33, an hour later.

Phelps finished first in the 200-meter individual medley, a new Olympic record. Phelps finished in the 100-meter butterfly final, which was held the following day, in less than 0.4 seconds at 51.25. In the 4th century medley relay final, the American who finishes first in an individual event will receive the appropriate leg. Phelps had a guaranteed entry into the medley relay, but he deferred and Crocker swam instead. Phelps' gesture gave Crocker the opportunity to make amends (for a blunder in a previous run) as well as his final shot at a gold medal. The American medley team won the event in a record time, and Phelps had competed in the medley relay's preliminary heat, earning him a gold medal alongside the team members who competed in the final. Phelps, a teenager, had the second-best show at a single Olympics, second behind Mark Spitz's seven gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics, winning six gold and two bronze medals. In addition, he became the second male swimmer to win more than two individual titles at a single Games, tying Spitz's four from 1972.

Phelps decided to forego 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 at the 2005 World Championship Trials. At the Trials, Phelps defeated the 400-meter freestyle, the 100-meter freestyle, the 100-meter freestyle, and the 200-meter individual medley.

Phelps earned a total of six medals, five gold, and one silver at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships. Phelps made it through the preliminary heats and ended 18th overall with a time of 3:50.53. Phelps captured his first gold medal in the Championships later that day. Phelps captured his second gold in the 200-meter freestyle on July 26, finishing ahead of Grant Hackett by 1:45.20. Phelps finished seventh in the 100-meter freestyle final two days later on July 28. Phelps captured his third gold in the 200-meter individual medley later that day. Phelps, along with Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay, and Klete Keller, took the gold in the 4200-meter freestyle relay in a record of 7:06.58 on July 29, 2014. This was Phelps' fourth gold medal. Phelps swam in his last individual event, the 100-meter butterfly, on July 30. Phelps could not match Ian Crocker's speed in the final and had to settle for silver, finishing 51.65 to 50.40, a new world record for Crocker. Phelps earned his final gold medal when the United States team defeated the 4100 meters relay on July 31. Phelps did not swim in the finals, but he still received a medal because he swam in the heats.

Phelps received three events at the 2006 National Championships. Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly for his first event, defeating his own record of 1:54.32. Phelps barely edged out Ian Crocker 51.51 (another championship record) to 51.73 in his second appearance. Phelps won by 1:56.50 in his third event, just behind Ryan Lochte's time of 1:56.78.

Phelps won five gold medals and one silver at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Phelps won in his first world record in two years in his first appearance. In his second event, the 400-meter individual medley successfully finished in 4:10.47, 3.38 seconds, ahead of second-place finisher Robert Margalis. Phelps, together with Ryan Lochte, Peter Vanderkaay, and Klete Keller, earned the gold medal in his third event, a time of 7:05.28. Phelps captured the silver medal in his fourth event, beating Aaron Peirsol 1:56.81 to 1:54.44, a new world record). Phelps, along with Neil Walker, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak, took home the gold medal in his fifth event in a world record time of 3:12.46 seconds. Phelps took home a world record time of 1:55.84, beating his previous record of 1:55.94 set in 2003.

Phelps earned seven gold medals at the 2007 World Aquatics Championships, tying the record for a global long-course championship held by Mark Spitz since the 1972 Summer Olympics, and breaking five world records. In the 4100-meter freestyle, Phelps earned his first gold medal. In 48.42 seconds, Phelps swam the lead-off leg in 48.42 seconds, with Neil Walker, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak all leading the way to victory in a Championship record of 3:13.22, just shy of the previous record of 3:12.46 seconds. His lead-off time was quicker than the winning time in the individual 100-meter freestyle final later in the season. In the 200-meter freestyle, Phelps set his first world record in the Championships, his second race. Phelps took the gold ahead of Pieter van den Hoogenband's six-year-old world record of 1:43.86. Phelps claimed the gold medal and beat his own world record of 1:53.09 in his third run. Phelps set a new world record in his third race in 1:54.98, beating his own world record of 1:54.36. Phelps won his sixth gold medal in his sixth appearance. Phelps won the gold medal in a world record time of 4:06.22, more than 3.5 seconds behind Ryan Lochte in his seventh event. Phelps set a new record of six gold medals at the 2001 World Championships by winning seven gold medals. During a dramatic drop in the heats, the 4100-meter relay team got off to a poor start, effectively ending Phelps' hopes of eight gold medals.

Despite the fact that Phelps participated in the backstroke in international competition only once (at the 2006 Pan Pacific Championships), he was one of the best backstroke swimmers in the world. This is illustrated by his personal records set in 2007, four months after the World Championships were set. Phelps swam a 1:54.65 in the 200-meter backstroke, the third fastest time in the event, down 0.33 seconds from Ryan Lochte's record of 1:54.32. Phelps set a time of 53.01 seconds in the 100-meter backstroke, 0.03 seconds behind Aaron Peirsol's world record of 52.98, and his second-fastest time of all time. Phelps swam into the all-time top three in seven individual events, four of which being world records.

Phelps competed in six individual events at the 2008 Olympic Team Trials in the United States. Phelps set a new world record of 4:06.22 in his first event, a 400-meter individual medley. Phelps set a time of 1:44.10 in his second event, ahead of Peter Vanderkaay's time of 1:45.85. Phelps finished second in his heat in his third run, a time of 47.92, securing him a spot on the relay. Phelps took first place in his fourth appearance, a 200-meter butterfly, in a time of 1:52.20. Phelps set a new world record of 1:54.98 in his fifth run, beating his own world record of 1:54.80. Phelps won in his sixth and final event with a time of 50.89. Phelps said "I am going to prepare for the meeting like I do every other meeting" when asked about his odds of winning eight gold medals in Beijing. I can only do so much in a month, and then I am going to prepare myself the best I can."

Phelps set an Olympic record in the 400-meter individual medley's preliminary heats. He followed up in the final by winning the gold medal and smashing his previous world record by nearly two seconds. This swim set a new world record for men's world record in long course meters, defeating Germany's Otto Farr who held the 100 backstroke world record from 1912 to 1926.

Phelps swam the first leg of the 4100-meter freestyle relay in 47.51 seconds (an American record for the 100-meter freestyle) and claimed his second gold medal of the 2008 Olympics as well as his second world record of the Olympics (3:08.24). Jason Lezak, who started the anchor leg more than half a body length behind Alain Bernard, finished atop the favored French swimmer by eight hundredths of a second. The top five teams in the final held their respective records of 3:12.23 on the previous day by the American B team in a preliminary heat. Phelps said that Bernard's pre-race remarks of "smashing the Americans" had "fired me up more than anything else." "Phelps taking the time to praise and console Bernard," Le Nouvel wrote, "shows that the person who swims in the wake of Mark Spitz is also a great gentleman."

Phelps set a new world record in the 200-meter freestyle for his third race, winning his third gold medal. He also set his third world record at the Olympics, 1:42.96, beating silver medalist Park Tae-hwan by almost two seconds. Phelps became the fifth Olympic athlete to win nine gold medals in modern history, alongside Mark Spitz, Larisa Latynina, Paavo Nurmi, and Carl Lewis.

Phelps was in two finals the next day. Despite his goggles' filling up with water and being unable to "see anything" for the last 100 meters in his first appearance, Phelps made it to four gold medals and world records in four events by swimming the final in 1:52.03. His tenth gold medal made him the all-time record for the most Olympic gold medals won by an individual in the modern Olympic period. In addition, Phelps became the first male or female to win three Olympic butterfly titles since winning three Olympic butterfly titles in Athens, 2004. He was also the first swimmer to successfully defend an Olympic butterfly title.

Phelps swam the lead-off leg of the 4200-meter freestyle relay less than an hour after he was awarded gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly. Lochte, Ricky Berens, and Peter Vanderkaay captured his fifth gold medal and set a new world record when the American team placed first in 6:58.56 seconds. The Americans were the first team to crack the seven-minute mark in the relay and set a new record of more than four and a half seconds in Melbourne, Australia.

Phelps earned his sixth gold of the Beijing Games on August 15, finishing ahead of Cseh by more than two seconds.

When Milorad avi, a born Serbian swimmer, caused a minor stir when he said it would be "good" if Phelps lost before the final of the 100-meter butterfly. "If he loses, it'd be good for him." It would be useful if historians talked about Michael Phelps, who received seven gold medals and losing the eighth to a "some dude." I'd like to be the guy," Avi said. "When people say stuff like that, it makes me laugh more than anything." Phelps captured his seventh gold medal of the Games in the men's 100-meter butterfly on August 16, breaking an Olympic record for the event in 50.58 seconds and edging out his nearest competitor avi by one hundredth (0.01) of a second.

Phelps did not record a new world record in the 2008 Games, beating 2005's world record of 50.40 seconds.

The Serbian delegation had to file a protest after Phelps' finish 0.01 seconds ahead of aviator avi. The FINA panel's findings, which required measuring frames shot 1/10,000th of a second apart, was used to officially announce Phelps' victory, but the images were not immediately announced to the public. Phelps' sponsorship of Omega was also questioned due to the finish's first refusal by official timekeeper Omega to publish submerged photos of the finish. "People, this is the best moment of my life," he wrote on his blog. If you ask me, it should be accepted and we should move forward. I've accepted defeat, and there's nothing wrong with losing to the best swimmer there has ever been."

Mark Spitz' record for gold medals won in a single Olympic Games, which was unveiled in the 1972 Olympics, stood out for Phelps' seventh gold medal of the Games. It was also his fifth individual gold medal at a Beijing track set by Eric Heiden in the 1980 Winter Olympics and equaled by Vitaly Scherbo at the 1992 Summer Games. Said Phelps on his seventh straight Olympic record in as many sports, "Dream as big as you can imagine" and anything is possible." I'm sort of in a dream world. I have to pinch myself to make sure it is real."

Phelps claimed his eighth gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay on August 17, defeating Mark Spitz' record of seven gold medals won in a single Olympic Games, which had not existed since 1972. Phelps, along with teammates Brendan Hansen, Aaron Peirsol, and Jason Lezak, all set a new world record in the event, 0.7 seconds ahead of second-place Australia and 1.34 seconds faster than the previous record set by the US at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, a new world record in the sport. The United States had been following Australia and Japan as Phelps dived in to swim the 100-meter butterfly leg, the third leg of the 400-meter medley. Phelps completed his split in 50.1 seconds, the fastest butterfly split for the event, giving teammate Jason Lezak a more than half-second lead for the final leg, which he held on to clinch the race in world record time. "Records are always meant to be broken no matter what they are." Said Phelps said after winning his eighth gold medal and eighth Olympic record in a number of sports. Anybody can do whatever they want to do."

Phelps was debating whether his achievements were "too good to be true" during the 2008 Olympics, a retort to unsubstantied rumors that Phelps might be taking performance-enhancing drugs. Phelps replied that he had signed up for Project Believe, a program administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, in which U.S. Olympians can volunteer to be tested in excess of the World Anti-Doping Agency's guidelines. Phelps passed all nine tests that were administered to him during the Games.

Phelps drastically reduced his schedule at the 2009 National Championships, competing in only three individual events. Phelps was crowned in his first event, a 200-meter freestyle, in a time of 1:44.23. Phelps won in his second event in a time of 1:52.76, 0.88 seconds behind the second place finisher. Phelps set a new personal record time of 52.2 seconds in his third tournament.

Phelps received a total of 6 medals, 5 gold, and 1 silver at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships. Phelps swam the lead-off leg in 47.78, much off his 47.51 appearance in Beijing, but the American team was able to defeat Russia and France for the gold in his first event, the 4100-meter freestyle relay. Phelps lost his first race in four years to Germany's Paul Biedermann in his second race, the 200-meter freestyle. Phelps finished second in 1:43.22, but Biedermann smashed Phelps' record of 1:42.96 set in Beijing a year ago, a year ago, taking second place in 1:42.01. Phelps received the silver medal with a full polyurethane swimsuit, specifically an Arena X-Glide. But coach Bob Bowman threatened to ban Phelps from international competition because Bowman argued that Biedermann had an unfair advantage because he was wearing a complete polyurethane swimsuit, not specifically an Arena X-Glide. "It took me five years to get Michael from 1:46 to 1:42, and this guy has done it in 11 months," Bowman said. That's an amazing training result. I'd like to know how to do it." Phelps recovered from this defeat and started his third marathon, the 200-meter butterfly, took the gold and set a new world record of 1:51.53.53. Phelps led the lead-off leg in 1:44.49 seconds in his fourth race, smashing the world record set the previous year. Many believed Phelps was in danger going into the final for the 100-meter butterfly after his defeat in the 200-meter freestyle. Milorad avi, his closest competitor, wearing an Arena X-Glide (the same suit Biedermann wore), believed people were avoiding Phelps because he was wearing an LZR Racer. Even suggested that Phelps buy a new suit. Phelps won the gold and became the first man to complete it in under 50 seconds in his fifth run, defeating avi 49.82 to 49.95. Phelps' triumph sparked a ferocious celebration. Phelps claimed his fifth gold medal in his final event, the 4100-meter medley relay. Phelps, along with teammates Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau, and David Walters, all set a new world record in the event at 3 minutes, 27.28 seconds.

Phelps participated in five individual events at the 2010 National Championships. Phelps took first place in the 200-meter freestyle, beating Ryan Lochte in a time of 1:45.61. Phelps returned to the pool to win the 200-meter butterfly about an hour later. However, Phelps was dissatisfied with his results, and it was dubbed the "best" 200-meter butterfly of his life. Phelps captured his 50th national championship in the 100-meter butterfly in 50.65 seconds. Phelps said he was "fairly pleased" with the result after the race. Phelps finished second to Lochte 1:55.94 to 1:54.84 in the 200-meter individual medley. It was the first time Lochte had defeated Phelps in a big national meet. Phelps placed in 4th place in the 200-meter backstroke in 1:56.98.

Phelps dropped out swimming in the final of the 200-meter freestyle to concentrate on the 200-meter butterfly on the first day of action at the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. Phelps led from start to finish in the 200-meter butterfly, finishing in first in 1:54.11. Despite the fact that it was much slower than his 1:51.51 time from the previous year, Phelps had not lost a 200-meter butterfly final since 2002. Phelps swam in the heats of the 400-meter individual medley relay on day two of the competition and was involved in the 4200-meter freestyle relay. Phelps struggled to make the A final in the heats of the 400-meter individual medley, with Lochte and Tyler Clary taking the top two American positions. In the B final of the 400-meter individual medley, Phelps did not swim. Phelps, with Peter Vanderkaay, Ricky Berens, and Lochte, the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, came first, ahead of Japan and Australia. Phelps competed in the 100-meter butterfly and relayed in the 4100-meter freestyle relay on day three of the tournament. Phelps took first place in the 100-meter butterfly, a new record. Phelps, with Lochte, Jason Lezak, and Nathan Adrian, came first in the 4100-meter freestyle relay, ahead of Australia and South Africa. Phelps set the national record in the 100-meter freestyle relay on the lead-off leg of the 4100-meter freestyle relay in 48.13 seconds. Phelps swam in the 4100-meter medley relay with Aaron Peirsol, Mark Gangloff, and Adrian and finished first ahead of Japan and Australia in his final event.

Phelps captured bronze in the 4100-meter freestyle relay with Garrett Weber-Gale, Jason Lezak, and Nathan Adrian in his first appearance at the 2011 World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai. This was Phelps' first bronze medal in the World Aquatics Championships. In 48.08, Phelps swam the lead-off leg in 48.08, the second best lead-off in the field behind James Magnussen's 47.49. Phelps was crowned silver in his second event, the 200-meter freestyle, for the second time at a World Aquatics Championships. He came in second second second to Ryan Lochte in the event, taking second place in 1:44.79, compared to Lochte's time of 1:44.44.44.44. He captured his first gold medal in a time of 1:53.34, becoming the first swimmer to win five gold medals in one discipline at the World Aquatics Championships.

Phelps finished second in his fourth appearance, behind Lochte in a personal record of 1:54.16, which was 0.16 behind Lochte who set a new world record. It was Phelps' 30th medal in the World Aquatics Championships. Phelps participated in the 4200-meter freestyle relay with Peter Vanderkaay, Ricky Berens, and Ryan Lochte, just short of completing the semi-finals of the 100-meter butterfly. In a time of 7:02.67, Phelps' team took home the gold medal. In 1:45.53, Phelps swam the lead-off leg, the third-best leg in the field. Phelps took his third straight title (also winning in 2007 and 2009) and his second individual title of the meet in a time of 50.71. Phelps won gold in his last tournament, the 4100-meter medley relay, partnering Nick Thoman, Mark Gangloff, and Nathan Adrian in a time of 3:32.06. Phelps' butterfly leg of 50.57 was by far the fastest butterfly leg in the field.

Phelps originally said he would not do eight events again and would instead try new ones for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. "I keep saying I want to go down and start sprinting," Phelps' coach Bob [Bowman, Phelps] isn't so keen on that... I don't think this is going to happen. I'd like to attend some new activities over the next four years, but not in any of the activities I attended here." However, Phelps qualified in the same eight events in Beijing as he did in 2008. He later dropped the 200-meter freestyle from his scheme because he said he wanted to concentrate on the 4100-meter freestyle relay. Phelps came first in the 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, and second in the 400-meter individual medley during the trials. Phelps sets the most Olympic appearances in swimming for the United States in his fourth Olympic team.

Phelps finished eighth in the morning prelims for the 400-meter individual medley on July 28, 2012. Phelps, the two-time Olympic champion, ran his heat in 4 minutes, 13.33 seconds, a time when Phelps took his first gold medal in Beijing four years ago. He beat László Cseh by 0.1 seconds in his heat to finish last for the final, thus leaving out Cseh. Phelps finished fourth in his first finals of the Summer Olympics, behind fellow Brazilian Ryan Lochte, Thiago Pereira of Brazil, and Kosuke Hagino of Japan in the 400-meter individual medley. It was the first time Phelps had failed to medal in an Olympic event since 2000. He received a silver medal in his second game of the Games as a participant in the 4100 meters free relay. Phelps was the fastest leg of the US relay team and the second fastest of anyone in the competition.

Phelps secured a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly behind South African Chad Le Clos, a second, and a gold medal in the 4200-meter freestyle relay, thereby equaling and then beating Larisa Latyna for the most Olympic medals won. Latynina was at the parade and tried to be the presenter of Phelps' medal, but was told that Olympic laws would not allow it. Phelps was praised for the honor, according to Phelps.

Phelps captured his 16th Olympic gold medal on August 2, 2012, beating Ryan Lochte in the 200-meter individual medley for the first male swim in three consecutive Olympics. Rebecca Soni and Phelps (twice) are the only swimmers to successfully defend an individual title from the 2008 Games. Phelps' third Olympic medal in the individual medley was also won by this victory, smashing the record of four shared by Hungarian Tamás Darnyi and Ukrainian Yana Klochkova.

He regained the ability of winning the 100 m butterfly at three Olympics the next evening, winning the Olympic gold medal in the 100 m butterfly, his last individual event. Phelps defeated Le Clos and Yevgeny Korotyshkin, who tied for second, after two close victories in the 100 m butterfly at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics (by 0.04 and 0.1 seconds, respectively).

Phelps' last competition was the 4100-meter relay, in which he won his 18th gold medal and his 22nd overall. Phelps ended the 2012 Olympics as the most competitive swimmer of the third Olympics in a row by winning 4 gold and 2 silver medals. The international swimming union FINA awarded Phelps with an award for his work as the most decorated Olympian ever after his last performance.

Phelps said, "I'm done" after the 2012 Olympics, after the Olympics. I'm done. I'm retired. I'm done. "I just wanted to be done with swimming and didn't want anything to do with it anymore," says the swimmer.

Phelps said in April 2014 that he would come out of retirement and would attend an event later this month. He won the 100-meter butterfly contest at the Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte, North Carolina, in May 2014. According to reports, Phelps was triggered by the national team's inability to win the men's 4 100 m freestyle relay after losing the Beijing 2008 and Rome 2009 titles. Phelps and coach Bob Bowman's relationship had deteriorated in the run-up to London 2012, so Phelps assured a skeptical Bowman that he was not training for history." He wasn't training for the medals. He wasn't even training for any of the fans. Phelps wanted to swim for himself this summer, and we loved it." Phelps "scaled back his calorie intake" and "increased his postswim ice baths" since coming from retirement in 2014. Despite his age Phelps' "felt physically better in the water," he wrote about at the 2016 Olympic trials, including several repeats of 40 seconds of dolphin kicking when hugging a 10-pound weight to his chest.

Phelps was unable to participate in the 2015 World Aquatics Championships due to a DUI, but he nevertheless competed in the US National Championships (long course) in San Antonio, his first meeting of the summer. He won gold medals in the 100-meter butterfly (50.45 s), the 200-meter butterfly (1:52.94), and the 200-meter individual medley (1:54.75). He set the fastest time in the world in 2015 in each of these events.

Phelps achieved national championships in December 2015 at the Winter Nationals in Federal Way, the first time in long-distance, bringing his total number to 62 national titles.

Phelps also won the 200 m butterfly (1:54.91), the 100 m butterfly (51.00 s) and the 100 m butterfly (1:54.91) at the US trials in Omaha for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He became the first American male swimmer and the second American swimmer overall after Dara Torres' appearance in the Olympics for the fifth time. Phelps' 100 m freestyle times at the Trials were not impressive. Phelps' last training camp in Atlanta a week before heading to Rio, "the fourth-quickest flat-start time of the year" in a 100 free time trial, securing one of the seven spots on the Men's 4 100 meter freestyle relay for the Olympics.

Phelps was selected to be the American flag bearer at the opening ceremony, the first Olympic opening ceremony that he would attend. Phelps was also selected by the US Olympic swimming team as one of six team captains for the US delegation to the Olympics. He had a relaxed, sociable demeanor in the athletes' village and in press conferences; his pleasant demeanor was in sharp contrast to the isolation in previous Olympics. He was accompanied by fiancée Nicole Johnson and his son Boomer.

He captured his first gold medal of the 2016 Games and his 19th Olympic gold medal overall in his first appearance in the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay. Phelps swam the second leg with what his mentor Bob Bowman referred to as "probably the finest turn that's ever been done," defeating France's Fabien Gilot to give his American teammates a lead they did not relinquish. Phelps' leg was the deciding factor in the race, and Gilot later commented, "The extraterrestrial that is Phelps was faster than my teammates," Phelps said. Phelps ran a time of 47.12, the fourth fastest time on the track (the team's record), which was also quicker than any of his relay splits at the last three Olympics.

After finishing fifth in 2000, 1st in 2004, and 2008, and 2nd in 2012. (Federica Pellegrini will be the second swimmer to do so at the 2020 Olympics.) At Rio, he defeated Chad le Clos four years ago in London, edging Masato Sakai by 0.04 s. Phelps said that winning back the title had been the primary aim during his comeback. The preliminary and final of the tournament had been heavily marketed as a rematch between Phelps and Le Clos. In 2012–13, Le Clos and Phelps' relationship had thrived, but it devolved in 2014 as Phelps returned from retirement and said that the new butterfly times were slow. Le Clos' shadow boxing in the pre-race, while Phelps "glowered in a corner" spawned the Internet meme with the hashtag #PhelpsFace. Phelps became not only the oldest male champion, but also the longest individual champion in Olympic swimming history, smashing the records set by Duke Kahanamoku in 1920 and Inge de Bruijn in 2004 respectively, who also honored Inge de Bruijn in 2004. Phelps became the first swimmer to win individual gold medals 12 years ago. Anthony Ervin broke both these records just three days later.

Phelps received his 21st gold medal in the 4 200 m freestyle relay along with Conor Dwyer, Townley Haas, and Ryan Lochte on August 9, as well as Ryan Lochte. This was their fourth straight gold medal for Phelps and Lochte, a new record in any event.

Phelps received his 22nd gold medal in the 200 meters individual medley on August 11, Phelps' 22nd gold medal. He defeated Kosuke Hagino, the 400 m individual medley champion, by 1.95 seconds. This was Phelps' fourth straight gold medal in the event as well as his fourth in the Games. He became the first swimmer to win the same individual event four times, smashing Dawn Fraser and Krisztina Egerszegi's previous record of three. Since athletes Al Oerter and Carl Lewis, he became the third Olympian to win the same individual event four times. Phelps tied for his 13th individual gold medal, smashing a long Olympic record set by Leonidas of Rhodes, who had the most individual titles of all time.

Phelps was disqualified in the 100 m butterfly by Singaporean Joseph Schooling in his last individual event of the Rio Olympics when he took joint gold with Chad le Clos and László Cseh.

Phelps earned his first gold medal in the 4 x 100 meters relay and his 28th Olympic medal overall on August 13. The medley team, along with Ryan Murphy, Cody Miller, and Nathan Adrian, set the Olympic record and claimed the U.S. Olympic gold medal in accordance with the USOC. Following the Rio Olympics, Phelps stopped competitive swimming again.

Phelps' participation in the Rio Olympics was unprecedented in "securing multiple gold medals at 31 years old, well beyond the typical peak for male swimmers." Phelps is regarded as one of the best Olympians of all time.

r = relay lead-off *Phelps is a former WR holder in this series, but his personal best came in a 2nd-place finish to Ryan Lochte's new WR at the 2011 World Championships.

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