Michael Phelps; the greatest swimmer of all time

• Michael Phelps is one of the swimmers who changed the sport completely. He is widely regarded as the greatest swimmer of all time. 
• Phelps is the athlete with the most Olympic medals, 28. He also has the record for most Olympic gold medals, winning 23. 
• Phelps announced his second retirement on August 12, 2016, after the Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Olympic Games. 

Swimming is one of the most exciting sports in the world. The sport requires a lot of hard work in and out of the pool. Some of the best swimmers in the world dedicate their time to practising. 

Swimmers like Michael Phelps and Mark Spitz are in the history books for their achievements. They changed the sport completely due to their amazing performance.

Michael Phelps at the 2016 Olympic Games. Photo/ Swimswam.

Michael Phelps is regarded by many as the greatest swimmer of all time. The former American swimmer won many medals during his career days. He is the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps won several awards, such as Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the year 2008, due to his influence on the game.

Michael Phelps’ early life

Michael Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S., on June 30, 1985. He is the last born in a family of three children. 

Michael’s father, Fred Phelps, is a retired footballer who played for Washington Commandos in the 1970s. He is of Welsh, English, German, Scottish and Irish descent. Michael’s mother, Deborah Sue, is a middle school principal. 

Michael Phelps attended Rodgers Forge Elementary, Dumbarton Middle School and Towson High School, where he graduated in 2003. 

Michael began swimming at the age of seven due to the influence of his sisters. His mom also wanted him to swim while he was still a child. 

The American star began training with North Baltimore Aquatic Club after setting the national record in the 100-metre butterfly at the age of 10. He continued setting national records in his age group as he grew up. 

In 2000, Michael caught the world’s attention at the Summer Olympics when he became the youngest male to join the US Olympic swim team in 68 years. He was by then 15 years. He reached the finals and finished fifth in the 200-metre butterfly. 

Swimming Career

Michael Phelps became a professional swimmer during his teenage days. The American is good in four swimming strokes; butterfly freestyle, backstroke and individual medley. 

Phelps won gold in the 200-metre butterfly in 2001 at 15 years and nine months. He became the youngest male swimmer to set a record after winning the gold in 1:54.58. 

Michael continued his impressive performance in 2002 at the Pan Pacific Championships, winning three gold and two silver medals. He won three gold medals in the 200-metre medley, 400-metre medley and 4 by 100-metre medley. The two silver medals he won in 200-metre butterfly and 4 by 200-metre freestyle.

In 2003, Michael Phelps won four gold and two silver medals at the World Championships. He won the gold medals in the 200-metre butterfly, 200-metre medley, 400-metre medley and 4 by 100-metre medley. The two silver medals he won in the 100-metre butterfly and 4 by 200-metre freestyle. 

Michael became an icon at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games when he bagged six gold and two bronze medals. He won the gold medals in the 100-metre butterfly, 200-metre butterfly, 200-metre medley, 400-metre medley, 4 by 200-metre freestyle and 4 by 100-metre medley. He won the bronze medals in the 200-metre freestyle and 4 by 100-metre freestyle. 

Michael continued with his dominant performance at the 2005 World Championships, earning five gold and one silver medal. He also won five gold and one silver at the 2006 Pan Pacific championships. Michael won seven gold medals at the 2007 World Championships. 

In 2008, Michael Phelps set a record at the Olympics in Beijing when he won eight gold medals. He won four gold and two silver medals at the next Olympic Games in 2012. He retired from swimming after the 2012 Olympic Games but made a comeback at the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships, where he won three gold and two silver medals. 

Michael Phelps participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He won five gold and one silver medal. 

The American announced his second retirement from swimming on August 12, 2016. 

Phelps retired with a record for Olympic gold medals, 23. He is also the athlete with the most medals in the Olympics, 28.

Michael Phelps showing off his medals. Photo/ Pinterest.

Michael Phelps is in the history books as one of the greatest swimmers the world has ever seen.