Michael Phelps

View Michael Phelps's Biography

“If you want to be the best, you have to do things other people aren’t willing to do.”

Michael Phelps Photo Vault, 2010 to 2012

Full Name:	Michael Phelps
Nickname(s):	The Baltimore Bullet, Mr. Swimming, GOAT
Born:	June 30th, 1985
	Towson, Maryland, USA
Nationality:	United States
Status:	Retired

Michael Fred Phelps II is known principally as the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them gold, spanning over four Olympic Games. He has actually competed at five Olympics; however, he did not medal at his first Games in Sydney, Australia. He is recognized for his formidable butterfly, though he also specializes in individual medleys and the 100 and 200-meter freestyle. At 31-years-old, Phelps retired from swimming as the greatest of all-time. His retirement came just days after finishing his fifth Olympics with five golds and a silver medal. In the beginning Michael Phelps was born in Towson, Maryland on June 30, 1985 to Fred and Debbie Phelps. While following in the wake of his two older sisters, Whitney and Hilary, a young Phelps was initially fearful of putting his face in the water. However, he overcame this discomfort and, in 1996, was inspired by the performances of Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan during the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Shortly thereafter, he joined the North Baltimore Athletic Club, where he met Bob Bowman, the coach who would see him through the highs and lows of the rest of his career. 2000 Olympic Games Though Phelps struggled in school …

Michael Phelps Photo Vault, 2010 to 2012

Phelps photos kickoff our new feature category, Photo Fishbowl. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Picks: Phelps and Lochte Gunning for World Records in 200 IM

Replace the caps with American flags, and you’ll have the scene for gold in London (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Garrett Reports: SwimSwam News, July 19th

The USOC “Black Out” began this week, and the college coaching carrousel continued to turn. (Photo Courtesy © Tim Binning, TheSwimPictures.Com)

Picks: American Men Look to Continue Streak in Medley Relay

If Matt Grevers can repeat a 52-low on this medley, the Americans should go wire-to-wire. (Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis/OlaVistaPhotography.com)

FINA Entry Lists Nearly-Finalized

Photo Courtesy: Mike Lewis/OlaVistaPhotography.com

Picks: Phelps a Phavorite, But Not a Runaway, in 100 Fly

Coming at the end of a long meet, Phelps is vulnerable in the 100 fly (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

US Olympians on Twitter: The Complete List

Read how to follow all of the Twitters and Tweeters of the US Olympic Swim Team (Photo of the Olympic Team announcement ceremony courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Olympic Media Day Time Lapse

The US Olympic Team Training Camp in Knoxville, Tennesse hosted a media day. 1800 fans attended. More than 100 media,…

VIP Olympic Camp Party, Exclusive Photos

Swimmers may be preparing for the biggest meet of the year, but they still have time for some fun in Knoxville.

Garrett Reports: SwimSwam News for Thursday July 12th

Tyler Clary’s talking about PRACTICE?!

Cincinnati Marlins Swimmer Breaks 10 & Under NAG Record in 50 Fly [VIDEO]

The Cincinnati Marlins 10-year old broke a record that has stood for 16 years.

Spitz Still Non-Committal About Phelps on CNN’s “Piers Morgan”

Mark Spitz appeared on CNN’s “Piers Morgan” talk show last night, and despite promising to finally commit as to who…

Sprint News 7/10/12: Pierse Gets New Gig, Can Spitz Beat Phelps?

The World Record holder Pierse will find herself back at the Olympics, but in a different role. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

How to Train between Trials & The Olympics

“Three primary factors can be cited for success and failure between the Olympic Trials & the Olympic Games…” (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

London’s Swimming, Come on Down

Now that Olympic Trials are over, a new level of excitement and nervous energy slowly begins to ramp up. The…