Michael Phelps Olympic Gold medalist

The Beginning

Video showing 11 year old Micheal Phelps winning a 50 Butterfly in 1997

Every Olympic athlete has a story, usually that story has a beginning. Michael Phelps story is like any other. He was born in Towson, Maryland on June 30, 1985 to Fred and Debbie. He has two siblings that were in swimming, Whitney and Hilary. When Michael started to swim he was a little fearful of putting his face in the water, so his coach had him kick on his back, no wonder he's good at backstroke. He shortly overcame the discomfort when he saw the performances of Tom Dolan and Tom Malchow in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Then after, he joined the North Baltimore Athletic Club, where he met the coach that will see him through his career, Bob Bowman.

Bob Bowman and Micael Phelps (top left). Tom Malchow (bottom left). Tom Dolan (right).

2000 Olympics

In 2000, Phelps qualified in the Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia for the 200-meter butterfly. He was 15 at the time, being at 15 he was the youngest male Olympian the United States has presented in 70 years. He did not medal at the meet but he did compete in the finals with his hero Tom Malchow, touching fifth. While spectating he gained another sense of inspiration from the well known freestyle legend, Australian Ian Thorpe.

A picture of Micheal getting interviewed after his 200m Butterfly in the 2000 Olympic Games.

After All The Fame

Sadly, there comes a time where our favorite Olympic athletes retire and start a new chapter in their life. Michael Phelps retired after the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where he won his last six medals. Four gold two silver. He then asked the big question to his longtime girlfriend, Nicole Johnsen. It didn't take long after that, that they became parents to a little boy named Boomer. Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympic swimmer this world has ever seen, winning 28 medals, and hopefully it won't take long for someone to take his place. But, we will always remember that man that swam it all!

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