EARLY LIFE
Michael Fred Phelps was born on June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Michael's father, Michael Fred Phelps, is a retired Maryland State Trooper who played football in high school and college and tried out for the Washington Redskins in the 1970s. His mother, Deborah Sue "Debbie" Phelps (née Davisson), is a middle school principal.
Phelps was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder when he was nine.
Michael Phelps was bullied as a kid for his gangly form and big ears.
The first stroke Michael Phelps learned as a child was the backstroke, because he was afraid to put his head underwater.
SWIMMING CAREER
He qualified for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics at the age of 15, becoming the youngest male to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years. He did not win a medal, but did make the finals and finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly.
Michael Phelps broke the world record in the 200-meter butterfly at the World Championship Trials for the World Aquatics Championships, on March 30, 2001. He became, at 15 years and 9 months, the youngest male ever to set a swimming world record. Previously this had been Ian Thorpe, who lowered the 400-meter freestyle world record at 16 years, 10 months.
Phelps won eight swimming medals at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, breaking the record for most medals at a single modern Olympics.
With the victory in the 4×100 metres medley relay at the Beijing Summer Olympics on August 17, 2008, Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the games, setting the records for the most gold medals won by an individual in a single modern Olympics. Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
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| Phelps in 2009 |
When Phelps won his 12th individual Olympic gold medal, he tied a record set 2,168 years previously by Leonidas of Rhodes.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won four gold and two silver medals, and at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won five gold medals and one silver. This made him the most successful athlete of the Games for the fourth Olympics in a row.
Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all-time with 28 medals, 23 of which are gold. Nobody else in the modern era has even hit double-digit gold medals in their Olympics career. (The record before Phelps had been nine)
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| Michael Phelps By Agência Brasil Fotografias - 2016 |
Between 2004 and 2016, The American swimmer, nicknamed The Baltimore Bullet medaled in 44% of every men's swimming event at the Olympics. There were 64 races during that period, Phelps competed in 29 and medaled in 28.
Michael Phelps has more Summer Olympic gold medals than 80% of countries in history even when taking into account countries that no longer exist.
A major factor in Phelps' success are his size 14 feet with double-jointed ankles that can bend 15 degrees more than average —he basically has flippers.
His arms span 6 feet 7 inches (201 cm)—disproportionate to his height of 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm)—and act as long, propulsive paddles. Michael Phelps's wingspan is longer than he is tall.
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| Phelps in 2010 |
6’4” Michael Phelps legs are the same length as 5’9” marathoner Hicham El Guerrouj. It is Phelps short legs and long torso that help make him such a great swimmer.
Jerry Weintraub, the producer of the 2016 Tarzan movie, originally wanted Michael Phelps to play titular character. Weintraub changed his mind after watching Phelps host Saturday Night Live for two minutes.
After the 2008 Olympics, Phelps used his $1 million Speedo bonus to set up the Michael Phelps Foundation. His foundation focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Michael Phelps considered suicide after the 2012 Summer Olympics. He started the Michael Phelps Foundation to help other people with mental illness.
USA Swimming's golden boy has faced the tarnish of his reputation through several driving under the influence charges When Phelps was arrested for DUI in September 2014. it was his second arrest for the same reason in ten years, which led him to check-in to a rehab facility for treatment. USA Swimming suspended him from all competitions for six months, and stated he would not be chosen to represent the United States at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships that August.
Michael Phelps is married to former Miss California USA Nicole Johnson. They had a secret wedding ceremony on June 13, 2016, in their backyard in Arizona. The ceremony was attended by only a few close friends and family members. They had a second, more formal wedding ceremony in October 2016 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
PERSONAL LIFE
After the 2008 Olympics, Phelps used his $1 million Speedo bonus to set up the Michael Phelps Foundation. His foundation focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles.
Michael Phelps considered suicide after the 2012 Summer Olympics. He started the Michael Phelps Foundation to help other people with mental illness.
USA Swimming's golden boy has faced the tarnish of his reputation through several driving under the influence charges When Phelps was arrested for DUI in September 2014. it was his second arrest for the same reason in ten years, which led him to check-in to a rehab facility for treatment. USA Swimming suspended him from all competitions for six months, and stated he would not be chosen to represent the United States at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships that August.
Michael Phelps is married to former Miss California USA Nicole Johnson. They had a secret wedding ceremony on June 13, 2016, in their backyard in Arizona. The ceremony was attended by only a few close friends and family members. They had a second, more formal wedding ceremony in October 2016 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The couple have three sons together: Boomer Robert Phelps (born May 5, 2016), Beckett Richard Phelps (born February 12, 2018), and Maverick Nicolas Phelps (born September 9, 2020).
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| Phelps with his wife, Nicole Johnson. By Gage Skidmore |
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