Michael Phelps Bio
Ever hear the saying about swimmers with big hands and feet? They’re sunk unless they’ve got the ability and heart to match. Not a problem for Michael Phelps, who's already being hailed by some as the greatest all-around competitor in the history of his sport. Every time he splashes into the water he’s determined to produce a once-in-a-lifetime performance—according him rock star status among swim fans and drawing a tidal wave of attention from the non-chlorinated world, as well. Iron Mike’s goal is to become the gold standard for aspiring champions for generations to come. This is his story…
GROWING UP
Michael Phelps was born on June 30, 1985 to Fred and Debbie Phelps. (Click here for today's sports birthdays.) His parents already had two daughters, Hilary and Whitney. The family lived in Maryland, just outside of Baltimore. Fred was a state trooper, and Debbie was a middle-school teacher who was twice named Maryland’s “Teacher of the Year.”
Fred was a good athlete, and passed his ability on to his kids. All three got into swimming at an early age. Hilary showed real promise, particularly in the butterfly, but eventually gave up the sport. Whitney stuck with it much longer. One of the better swimmers in her area, she tried out for the U.S. Olympic team in 1996 at the age of 15. Michael was among those in attendance to cheer her on. When Whitney didn't qualify, he was left devastated like the rest of the family. Ultimately, her career was cut short by a series of herniated disks.
Michael learned a lot from his sisters, particularly the value of hard work. Hilary started swimming the year he was born, and Michael spent many afternoons in a stroller watching her practice. He eventuall followed both sisters into the pool, though initially with great hesitancy. As a seven-year-old, he refused to put his face in the water. Sensing Michael’s fear, his instructors allowed him to float around on his back. No surprisingly, the first stroke he mastered was the backstroke.
One of the turning points for Michael came when he saw swimmers Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan compete at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. The 11-year-old began to dream of becoming a champion himself.
By then, Michael’s home life had changed drastically. After years of fighting, his parents divorced. High school sweethearts, they had separated before Michael was born, gotten back together, and then split for good in 1992. The kids went to live with Debbie. Michael grew very close to his mother, while Fred faded from the picture. To this day, he has very little contact with his father.
A new male presence entered Michael’s life in 1996. He had started his swimming career at Towson’s Loyola High School pool. But when it became clear he needed better facilities and more professional coaching, he moved on to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness Center. There he met Bob Bowman. The coach recognized Michael’s potential immediately.
Bowman told Debbie that her son was a rare talent. Long-limbed with big hands and feet, he took to instruction very well, loved to work hard and never seemed nervous in competition. In fact, Michael’s only “shortcoming” was the tremendous growth spurt he was experiencing. On some days, it tended to cause fatigue.
Michael’s competitive fire burned intensely. He hated to lose, and reacted angrily on the odd occasions when he did. Once Michael flung his goggles away in disgust after finishing behind a swimmer of the same age. Bowman pulled him aside, and warned him never to act that way again.
Outside of his swimming career, Michael was a normal teenager. He rooted for Baltimore sports teams, read books on sports heroes like Lance Armstrong and Vince Lombardi, and usually fell asleep with the family cat, Savannah, curled up next to him. He didn’t like getting out of the bed in the morning, but refused to slow down once his day began. He tried his hand at baseball (as a catcher and shortstop), soccer and lacrosse as a youngster. When he entered Towson High School, Michael toyed with the idea of going out for football, and later played on the golf team.
Tom Dolan, 1998 SI for Kids
Because Towson didn’t have a swim team, Michael continued competing for the NBAC. He performed well in his sophomore year, which convinced him that he could be something truly special in the water. He picked up his training regimen considerably as a junior, working out 10 times a week.
ON THE RISE
In 1999, Michael earned a spot on the U.S. National B Team. At the Junior Nationals, he broke a record in the 200-meter butterfly for the 20-year-old age group. Michael’s ascent through the U.S. swimming ranks accelerated in 2000. At the Spring Nationals, he finished third in the 200-meter butterfly. Weeks later at the Olympic Trials, he lined up against Malchow and others in the same event, intent on securing a spot on the American team. Unphased by this heady company, he placed second and earned the right to represent his country in Sydney, Australia.
At 15, Michael became the youngest swimmer to compete for the U.S. in the Olympics in 68 years. He acquitted himself well, touching the wall in fifth place in the 200-meter butterfly. Michael ended the year ranked 7th in the world in the 200-meter butterfly and 44th in the 400-meter individual medley.
Michael entered 2001 poised to take another huge step in his career, and staged his coming out party at the Phillips 66 National Championships that August. First he set a world record in 200-meter butterfly at 1:54.92. Then he captured the gold in the 100-meter butterfly. Running fifth at the midway point, Michael turned on the jets down the stretch for the victory.
After winning the 200-meter butterfly at the Pan Pacific Championships, Michael ended his year in style by bettering his own mark in the event at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan. The owner of his first international medal, he pushed his world record to 1:54.58.
Michael’s stunning season energized his sport. Veterans like Malchow rededicated themselves, hoping to keep pace with the teenage phenom. Meanwhile, Michael bucked conventional wisdom by sacrificing his college eligibility and declaring himself a pro. Sponsors were beating down his door, and his mother and coach saw no reason to delay the inevitable. Speedo led the charge, inking him to a six-figure deal. At the ripe old age of 16, Michael was becoming a brand unto himself.
Meanwhile, records continued to fall in Michael’s wake. At the 2002 U.S. Nationals in Ft. Lauderdale, he notched four wins—in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley. His time of 4:11.09 in the 400 established a new world mark.
Lance Armstrong,
2003 Sports Illustrated
Michael was equally dominant at the Pan Pacific Championships. After golds in the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley and a silver in the 200-meter butterfly, he helped America’s four-man team to victory in the 400-meter medley in a world-record time of 3:33.48. His opening leg was the fastest ever in the event’s history. By season’s end, Michael was the world’s top swimmer in three events.
The comparisons to Ian Thorpe began soon after. The Australian had emerged as the most dominant swimmer of his era at the 2000 Olympics. With Michael demonstrating similar strength, speed and endurance, the media and fans wondered whether he could surpass the “Thorpedo.”
Michael handled the hype with poise. In fact, he had been watching tapes of Thorpe for several years to assist in his training. Being compared to him was an honor more than anything else.
MAKING HIS MARK
After graduating from high school in 2003, Michael shifted his focus to the U.S. Spring National Championships. There he floored onlookers by becoming the first man to win in three different strokes at one national event. His victories came in the 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke and 100-meter butterfly.
Heading into the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain, Michael was the talk of the swimming world—though not all of the discussion was complimentary. Citing the fact that he had yet to win anything “big,” Australian coach Don Talbot said that comparing Michael to Thorpe was nonsense.
Upon reading Talbot's comments, Bowman used the locker room fodder to his advantage, making sure his prodigy read the remarks. Michael admitted later that he went into the World Championships with extra motivation. It showed. In an astonishing performance, he medaled six times and set five world records. Michael won the 200-meter butterfly with a new world mark (1:59.93), and also turned in record times in the 100-meter butterfly (51.47 seconds) and 200-meter individual medley (1:56.04)—doing so on the same day, which was a first in swimming history. He concluded his eye-popping run with a gold in the 400-meter relay.
Ian Thorpe, 2001 SI for Kids
Michael next rolled into the U.S. Summer Nationals. Swimming in front of hometown fans in College Park, Maryland, he became the first man to claim five national titles in a single meet. His victories—in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke and 200-meter individual medley—proved he was more than just a master of the butterfly. His final win also cost Bowman his hair. The coach lost a bet with Michael, and had to shave his head.
As the year drew to a close, the hype surrounding Michael approached a fever pitch. With the 2004 Summer Games less 10 months away, marketers began lining up to get their piece of him. Speedo struck first, extending his endorsement deal through 2009. The contract was worth an estimated $9 million.
Sorting through all the offers was a monumental task. Michael relied heavily on his agent Peter Carlisle, who also represented swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg and snowboarder Kelly Clark. In the ensuing months, the teen inked deals with Visa, Omega, AT&T Wireless, Power Bar and several other companies.
Michael opened '04 in impressive fashion. At the Conoco Phillips National Championships, he repeated his quintuple, taking five golds. Michael smoked the competition, obliterating the field in most of his events. Never satisfied, even in victory, he and Bowman huddled afterwards and picked apart his technique. They agreed that Michael’s starts and turns needed work.
The 18-year-old struggled a bit in his next few appearances. At the Grand Prix in Indianapolis, he bowed out of the action because of a stomach bug. In May at the Santa Clara International Invitation, Aaron Piersol beat him twice, in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke. Michael, however, exacted some revenge against Ian Crocker (who had defeated him earlier in the year), outracing him in the 100-meter butterfly.
Michael Phelps souvenir photo
Of course, Michael’s season was building toward the Olympics in Athens. So was the buzz surrounding him. Could he top Mark Spitz and the seven gold medals he won in 1972? Speedo offered a $1 million bounty if he matched Spitz, ratcheting up the already immense pressure Michael faced heading into the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Michael handled the circus atmosphere with his usual confidence and cool. He began the competition with a world record in the 400-meter medley, and finished by becoming the first American swimmer to qualify for six individual events. He also found his way onto a pair of relay teams. At the awards ceremony after the trials, Spitz greeted Michael, raised the teen’s hand to salute the crowd, and then wished him luck.
Up next for Michael was his shot at immortality—a pretty tall order for a kid who still doesn’t have to shave every day!
Michael opened his Olympic experience in impressive fashion, winning the gold in the 400 individual medley in world-record time (4:08.26). One down, eight to go.
His pursuit of Olympic gold history ended a few days later, however, when South Africa and Australia finished ahead of him and his American teammates in 4x100 freestyle relay. He also took the bronze in the 200-meter freestyle, though he gave the champion Thorpe all he could handle. Still, with three medals in three races, Michael was far from disappointed.
Michael got back on the gold track in each of his next four races. In a thrilling duel that came right down to the wire, he paced the Americans to victory in the 4x200 freestyle relay. Michael swam the lead leg, and then rooted his heart out as Klete Keller edged Australia's Thorpe down the stretch.
The 19-year-old did it all on his own in his final three events. After winning the 200-meter butterfly, he set a pair of Olympic records in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter inidividual medley. But his greatest moment in Athens may have come out of the pool.
Though he had qualified for America's 4x100-meter medley relay, Michael gave up his spot to teammate Ian Crocker, who he had beaten in the 100-meter butterfly. The relay was Crocker's last chance to earn a gold, and Michael felt he deserved the opportunity. Crocker was nearly speechless with admiration when he learned the news. With Michael in the stands cheering loudly, the Americans cruised to victory. Despite not swimming, Michael was awarded a gold nonetheless.
Six golds and two bronzes—not a bad week's work. And Michael's unselfish gesture on Crocker's behalf bolstered his already sterling reputation. His Olympic bounty also promised new riches, including a likely deal from McDonald's. (In an interview with Bob Costas after he finished competing, Michael said he couldn't wait to chow down on a big breakfast from the fast-food giant.)
Mark Spitz, 1972 Sports Illustrated
Upon returning to the U.S., Michael embarked on "Swim with the Stars"—a national tour designed to promote swimming. Along with teammates Krayzelburg and Crocker, he entertained huge crowds with demonstrations and Q&A sessions. In between, he also appeared on a host of TV shows, including "Good Morning America," "Live with Regis and Kelly" and "The Tonight Show." Back in Towson, a parade (The Phelpstival) was held in his honor, and Michael also stopped in Michigan to participate in the opening ceremonies of the Ryder Cup. Among the people he met there was Donald Trump (who asked him to drop him a line when he visits New York City). Ultimately, the fanfare proved so draining that Michael pulled out of the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Indiana.
Weeks later, the 19-year-old showed that he still had some growing up today. On a Thursday night in Salisbury, he was arrested on a drunken driving charge after rolling through a stop sign. Compounding the problem was the fact that Michael had yet to reach the legal drinking age in Maryland. Embarrassed by his actions, he immediately apologized, calling his actions "unacceptable." Michael received his punishment in December. Sentenced to 18 months probation, he was ordered to pay a $250 fine, attend a meeting sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and speak at local schools about the dangers of alcohol.
Michael learned the hard way that with fame comes a wide assortment of pitfalls. The marketing potential of his magnificent Olympic performance was dramatically undercut, and he had to settle for considerably less than he had expected.
Michael enrolled at the University of Michigan in 2005, after coach Bowman accepted the varsity coaching job in Ann Arbor. He served as Bowman’s assistant, and started working toward a degree in sports marketing and management.
Michael Phelps,
2004 Sunday Sports
Coming out of the Olympics, Michael had his sights set on more than Olympic glory and a big payday. He wanted to transform his sport the way other great athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have. Now he had to wait until he re-entered the spotlight.
That opportunity came in March of 2007, at the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. Competing in the backyard of Ian Thorpe—the man who owned the record for six gold medals in this competition—Michael won seven events and obliterated world records in five by jaw-dropping margins. He also set personal bests in all seven events.
Michael won 100 and 200 butterfly, the 200 freestyle, the 200 and 400 individual medley, and both freestyle relays he entered. In the 400 individual medley, Michael shattered the record he set in the 2004 Summer Games buy more than two seconds.
Michael might have had an eighth gold medal, but teammate Ian Crocker left too early and the American team was disqualified. In all, the Americans won 20 gold medals, equaling their team record set at the 1978 World Championships in Germany.
Michael’s awe-inspiring performance came at the same time that Thorpe’s career achievements were called into question by a report that suggested he might have flunked a 2006 drug test. The net effect on swimming is unclear, but one thing was beyond dispute: Michael Phelps is back, and he is better than anyone, ever.
MICHAEL THE SWIMMER
The first place to start with Michael is his body. He stands 6-4 with a wingspan of nearly 80 inches. By all accounts, his frame is perfect for a swimmer.
Michael understands how to use his body to its full advantage. His hands and feet are like paddles in the water, and he has an incredibly powerful kick. The butterfly is his signature stroke, but he’s shown the ability to dominate in any event.
Michael’s technique is excellent, and no one works harder at it. His training regimen is grueling—two to five hours a day in the pool. He does minimal weightlifting; at this point flexibility and a feel for the water are more important to him.
His physique notwithstanding, endurance may be Michael’s single greatest asset. He’s able to hold his stroke under pressure and when fatigue begins to creep in. From a mind over matter standpoint, Michael is also off the charts. His ability to relax, focus and block out the pain all at once is unique in his sport. He never seems nervous before a race, yet his intensity on the starting block is unmatched.
Source: jockbio.com
Photo Credit: cbc.ca
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