Michael Phelps: “I Would Have Straight Punted” Had The 2012 OLY Been Postponed

The most decorated Olympian of all time, American Michael Phelps, spoke with NBC Sports with reaction to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan having been postponed to next year.

In addition to expressing concern for athletes’ mental health, in line with his role as a passionate advocate both on a personal level, as well as through his partnership with Talk Space, Phelps revealed how he believes he would have responded to a delay in his last 3 Olympic Games.

First, on the mental health front, Phelps empathizes with athletes having worked so hard for a particular time-based goal, only to see it slip away for another 12 months (most likely).

“Your whole life is pointed toward this moment,” he said, “And then this huge curveball. `Nope, you’ve got to wait another year.’ If this had happened to me, I would be completely flipping out at the uncertainty. I mean, speechless. Like, is this a bad dream?”

“All of this is so hard to wrap your head around,” said Phelps. “I just feel really badly for all the athletes who have made it this far. On the one hand, I’m relieved that they’re getting another year, and rightfully so. But the waiting also makes it a lot more difficult.”

“I really, really hope we don’t see an increase in athlete suicide rates because of this. Because the mental health component is by far the biggest thing here. This postponement is uncharted waters. We’ve never seen this before. It was the right decision, but it breaks my heart for the athletes.”

In response to NBC’s question as to how he would have fared had the 2008, 2012 or 2016 Games been postponed, the 34-year-old dad of 3 said,

  • 2008 (Beijing, where Phelps won a record eight gold medals):  “I was totally locked and loaded,” he said, “But I had broken my wrist six months before the Trials and I was still getting better, I would love to have had another year.”
  • 2012 (London, where Phelps was undertrained, disinterested and careening toward the crash that would come two years later, still won four golds and two silvers): “If the Olympics had been moved to 2013, I would have straight punted,” said Phelps. “I would not have shown up. That was the mental state I was in. I was mailing everything in, anyway, and I couldn’t have done that for another year.”
  • 2016 (Rio, where Phelps closed out with those five golds and one silver, a triumphant finish to his career): “I would not have given up,’’ said Phelps. “No way in hell. I wanted to finish something that I hadn’t finished right. I don’t know what it would have looked like with a year off, if those games were postponed, but I would have found a way. The climb back to the top of that mountain was the best time I had I my career.”

You can read the entire interview on NBC Sports here.

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AfterShock
4 years ago

Forget about the hardware. It’s all about the WR.

AfterShock
4 years ago

Amazing photo of MP above. Could he do that in an endless pool?

Cate
4 years ago
Danjohnrob
4 years ago

I always thought that, if the 2000 OG had been held in 2001 Phelps would have won at least the 200 flyfly. Maybe his total medals would have been higher if Covid-19 came around in 2000!

swimfast
Reply to  Danjohnrob
4 years ago

well yes he would’ve absolutely won the 200 fly he won worlds that year and held the WR by 2002

leisurely1:29
4 years ago

I would like to see an article with Ryan Lochte’s opinion on this matter, seeing as he’s still going through this process!

PhillyMark
4 years ago

Just watched MA’s 4th quarantine vlog. Did a whole video session reviewing his 200 IM from des Moines. Very critical of himself which was refreshing and I think an indicator of his desire to continue to improve. Was actually enjoyable to watch….also a SS shoutout thrown in there.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GgirLp-ZokM

Kristiina
4 years ago

I waitng you back. Musles is good and only 34 years old.. You can rejoin ADAMS program.

Kristiina
Reply to  Kristiina
4 years ago

Phelps could win 200IM still.

Kristiina
Reply to  Kristiina
4 years ago

Phelps still training in täring pool last months. No ASU pool but othher pool.

leisurely1:29
Reply to  Kristiina
4 years ago

R E L A X

SCCOACH
4 years ago

I’ve never understood the idea of just wanting to swim because of being motivated for just one swim meet. Take away the meet and all motivation is gone. Do athletes with this mindset even like swimming? I can understand being upset over this especially if they felt like they were on schedule to have a really good Olympic trials/Olympics, but wanting to just give up over it is something I don’t understand. Swimmers with this mindset need to ask themselves why they are swimming in the first place if they are thinking of quitting over this.

Woke Stasi
Reply to  SCCOACH
4 years ago

I think you raise some really good questions. Long ago, I was D1 swimmer at a Top-10 program. The meets were fun. But as I look back, I think the main value of that time was learning the discipline that I later applied to my business and personal life. And, of course, there’s the joy of Masters Swimming.

GA Boy
Reply to  SCCOACH
4 years ago

Competitors compete to win, whether it is golf, swimming or professional eating. Nothing is worth doing if you don’t get something out of it. Meets are what swimmers get out of it. People already think we’re crazy for getting up for mornings and doubles, imagine how ridiculous we would look without competition. The fact that you want to call him out for not loving swimming is beyond dumb. I love swimming, my favorite part of the SPORT is the team, my friends, and getting together with them to win. I eat sleep and breath the sport. But at the end of the day, I SWIM for the sport. There is no way on earth I would do it without competition.… Read more »

swimfast
Reply to  SCCOACH
4 years ago

i absolutely loved swimming and would never have picked another sport; but, yes…i swam 100% because i had a stage, and i was very successful with that mindset. i have plenty of values that i’ve learned and still retain, but while actually swimming i did it for the consistent big meets and best times

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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