Michael phelps biography article

American swimmer (born )

This article is about the American swimmer. For other people named Michael Phelps, see Michael Phelps (disambiguation).

Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, ) is an American former competitive swimmer. He is the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals. Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals (23),Olympic gold medals in individual events (13), and Olympic medals in individual events (16). At the Summer Olympics in Athens, Phelps tied the record of eight medals of any color at a single Games, held by gymnast Alexander Dityatin, by winning six gold and two bronze medals. Four years later, when he won eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, he broke fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz's record of seven first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games. At the Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won four gold and two silver medals, and at the 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 a former long course world record holder in the meter freestyle, meter butterfly, meter butterfly, meter individual medley, and meter individual medley. He has won 82 medals in major international long course competitions, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and three bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Pan Pacific Championships. Phelps's international titles and record-breaking performances 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 and Phelps earned Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award due to his unprecedented Olympic success in the Games.

After the Summer Olympics, Phelps

Quick Facts

• Specialty: Butterfly, Individual Medley, Freestyle, Backstroke

Biographical Information 

Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympic swimmers in TeamUSA history with 28 total medals, including 23 gold. He began swimming at the early age of seven, and he quickly fell in love with the sport. Just three years later, he set a national record for his age group. Phelps attended and swam for Towson High School and the University of Michigan. 

As a retired swimmer, Phelps dedicates his time to giving back to the sport, volunteering as an assistant coach alongside Bob Bowman. He continues to make a positive impact through the Michael Phelps Foundation, which focuses on promoting mental and physical well-being and empowers individuals to pursue their dreams. 

Phelps is also an avid golfer and launched his cold-water bathtub brand, 'Chilly Goat Tubs,' in

From his debut at the Sydney Olympic Games to his final appearance in the Rio Olympic Games, Phelps left his mark as an Olympic athlete, capturing the hearts of swimmers, athletes and fans.

Olympic Highlights

At the age of 15, Phelps represented the United States at the Sydney Olympic Games. Phelps' dominance came to light at the Athens Olympic Games, where he clinched an impressive six gold and two bronze medals, showcasing his skills in events like the meter and meter butterfly, meter and meter individual medley and the 4xmeter and 4xmeter freestyle relays. 

During the Beijing Olympic Games, Phelps secured an unprecedented eight gold medals in both individual and team events, surpassing the record at the time. He added four gold and two silver medals to his roster in the London Olympic Games. At the Rio Olympic Games, Phelps further solidified his legacy by capturing five gold and one silver medal. 

World Championship Highlights 

Since , Phelps has competed in a series of world championships and has been awarded an astounding medals for hi

By Zahavit Paz

Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, revolutionized the world of competitive swimming with his extraordinary talent and unparalleled achievements.

With a staggering 28 Olympic medals, including 23 golds, Phelps dominated the pool for over a decade, setting numerous world records and redefining the limits of human aquatic performance. (Source: Wikipedia).

Yet, behind this astounding success lies a lesser-known aspect of Phelps&#; life: his journey with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Diagnosed at a young age when he was 9 years old, Phelps&#; story is not just one of athletic prowess, but also a testament to overcoming challenges and turning perceived obstacles into stepping stones for greatness.

&#;I had a teacher tell me that I would never amount to anything and I would never be successful. So it was a challenge and it was a struggle, but for me, it was something I’m thankful happened. And I’m thankful that I am how I am. I look at myself every day and I’m so proud and so happy of who I am and who I’ve been able to become.&#; &#; Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps&#; Early Life

Michael Phelps, born on June 30, , in Baltimore, Maryland, faced significant challenges during his childhood due to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Growing up in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of nearby Towson, Phelps was a bundle of energy, often described as a child who could &#;never sit still.&#;

Phelps was diagnosed with ADHD in the sixth grade, around the age of 9. This diagnosis came after years of struggling with inattention and hyperactivity.

As a young child, Phelps exhibited classic symptoms of ADHD, including difficulty focusing and an abundance of physical energy that made it challenging for him to remain seated or calm for extended periods.

At the age of 7, Phelps was introduced to swimming. Initially reluctant to put his face in the water, he started with backstroke. This early exposure to the sport

Who Is Michael Phelps?

Michael Phelps is an American swimmer who holds the record for the most Olympics medals won by any athlete at 28, including 23 gold medals and 13 individual golds. Phelps competed in his first Olympics at the age of 15, as part of the U.S. men's swim team. He was the first American male swimmer to earn a spot on five Olympic teams and also made history as the oldest individual gold medalist in Olympic swimming history at the age of

Early Life and Family

Michael Fred Phelps was born on June 30, , in Baltimore, Maryland. The youngest of three children, Phelps grew up in the neighborhood of Rodgers Forge. His father, Fred, an all-around athlete, was a state trooper and his mother, Debbie, was a middle-school principal. When Phelps' parents divorced in , he and his sisters lived with their mother, with whom Phelps grew very close.

Phelps began swimming when his two older sisters, Whitney (born ) and Hilary (born ), joined a local swim team. Whitney tried out for the U.S. Olympic team in , but injuries derailed her career. At age seven, Phelps was still "a little scared" to put his head underwater, so his instructors allowed him to float around on his back. Not surprisingly, the first stroke he mastered was the backstroke.

After he saw swimmers Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan compete at the Summer Games in Atlanta, Phelps began to dream of becoming a champion. He launched his swimming career at the Loyola High School pool. He met his coach, Bob Bowman, when he started training at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness Center. The coach immediately recognized Phelps' talents and fierce sense of competition and began an intense training regime together. By , Phelps had made the U.S. National B Team.

University of Michigan

Phelps followed his coach to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where Bowman coached the Wolverines' swim team, to study sports marketing and management. M