Michael Phelps has won national and world titles at every level in which he has competed, culminating with a record-breaking performance at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The 6-foot-4 swimmer now makes around $5 million per year through endorsements and has set up the Michael Phelps Foundation, which helps children achieve their goals.
Early Life
Phelps was born June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland. Nine years later, Phelps' parents divorced, which changed his life considerably. Michael started swimming at age 7, when his mother enrolled him in a class taught by one of her friends. Soon thereafter, doctors diagnosed Phelps with ADHD. While this disorder hindered Phelps in the classroom, it helped him in athletics as he would rarely run out of energy. Swimming helped him focus on his goals.
Early Swimming Success
In 2000, Michael became the youngest male swimmer to qualify for the U.S. Olympic team since 1932. Although he did not medal, he finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly during the Sydney Olympics. In 2001, he became the youngest male swimmer to break a world record when he did so in the 200-meter butterfly. In 2003, he won five national titles.
World Records
Phelps broke five world records at the 2003 World Championships, cementing himself as one of the greatest swimmers of all time. During this event, he broke the world record in the 200-meter individual medley in two separate races. He set five world records at the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, while winning seven gold medals.
Olympic Medals
Phelps is one of the most successful U.S. Olympians of all time, starting with his performance at the 2004 Games in Athens. During these Olympics, he won the 400-meter individual medley, 4x200-meter freestyle relay, 200-meter individual medley, 100-meter butterfly, 4x100-meter medley relay and 200-meter butterfly races. At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, Phelps won a record eight gold medals, adding golds in the 200-meter freestyle and the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. This broke the record of seven gold medals in one Olympics, set by Michael Spitz in 1972.
References
- "Michael Phelps: Anything is Possible!"; Meish Goldish; 2009
- USA Swimming; Michael Phelps
- "No Limits: The Will to Succeed"; Michael Phelps, et al.; 2008
- "Michael Phelps: The Untold Story of a Champion"; Bob Schaller, et al.; 2008
- "Michael Phelps"; Jeffrey Zuehlke; 2005
- "Beneath the Surface"; Michael Phelps; 2004
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