Undoubtedly, Michael Phelps is the best Olympian ever to compete. According to some, Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci have a claim. But when it comes to the sheer quantity of medals won, Michael Phelps is the undisputed champion.
Even though Phelps competes in a sport where very talented athletes can win gold medals over various distances and strokes, his accomplishments far exceed those of any other competitor.
Phelps has a total of 28 medals; his 23 gold medals are more than double the amount of his closest competitors, and other swimmers haven't racked up absurdly high totals either. No other swimmer in the world has won more than six gold medals except Spitz, Matt Biondi (USA, eight golds), and Jenny Thompson (USA, eight golds).
Phelps’s Personal Life
On June 30, 1985, Michael Fred Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His two older sisters, Whitney and Hilary, are both swimmers. As a child, Michael struggled with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
To help him burn off some energy, his parents encouraged him to take up swimming. And his sisters already enjoyed swimming. Michael excelled at swimming right away and, by the age of 10, was setting records. Because of his talent, he was only 15 when he earned a spot in the 2000 Olympics.
Michael was a student at Michigan University. He declined to swim for them because Speedo had already given him a professional endorsement.
His Career
Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan's performances at the Summer Olympics of 1996 significantly impacted Phelps. After that, Phelps became resolved to dominate the swimming world and began studying tactics under coach "Bob Bowman."
He beat his record in 2001 at the World Championships, finishing in 1:54:58, earning his first international medal. Phelps broke five world records while he was just 17 years old, signaling a bright future for swimming.
The swimmer announced his retirement from competition in 2012, although he promised to return. Phelps delivered on his promise with a standout performance in the 2016 Olympic Games, solidifying his place on five Olympic teams (becoming the first American to receive the honor) and winning one silver and five gold medals at the quadrennial competition. Phelps' victory made him the oldest individual gold medallist and the first swimmer to win four straight golds in the same competition.
The swimming records of Mark Spitz, a world-class swimmer, were exceeded by Phelps, who currently holds swimming records in 12 age categories and has won 28 Olympic medals, the most ever won at an Olympics.
The youngster, initially terrified of swimming in the water during his first swimming lessons, became an expert in the backstroke technique, winning many awards and breaking multiple records. This young guy has demonstrated through his accomplishments that only tenacity can take one to their destiny.