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.”

Dana Vollmer Wins Women’s 100 Fly Final; Coughlin 7th

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 …

Dana Vollmer Wins Women’s 100 Fly Final; Coughlin 7th

Last summer, when Tim Binning took this picture, these two were just great young swimmers. Fast forward a year, and it’s game-on (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Tuesday Prelims Heat Sheets: Clary Scratches 200 Free

There will be no Tyler Clary in this morning’s 200 free, but Phelps-Lochte part 2 is on tap. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com

Ryan Lochte

SwimSwam catches up with Ryan Lochte: the first qualifier for the USA in the pool.

Lochte Wins 400 IM Final to Stamp First Ticket to London; American Record for Dana Vollmer

(Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Day 1 Finals Video Preview presented by Engine

Garrett, Mel and Braden recap the morning session at Farrell’s in Omaha

Olympic Trials Day 1 – Live Updates and Recaps from Deck in Omaha

Day 1 of the 2012 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials is underway in Omaha, Nebraska, and the first heat-winner of the…

Bob Bowman is happy with the prelims of the 400 IM

Michael Phelps’ coach says he’s happy with what he saw from his superstars first swim at US Olympic Trials. (Photo Courtesy © Tim Binning, theswimpictures.com)

Day 1 Heat Sheets Posted: No Hoff in the 400 IM

“Katie Hoff will also scratch the 400 IM…” (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

The Stache Says Phelps Will Swim the 400 IM

Phelps tweeted this picture earlier today before-and-after his mustache shaving.

The Ultimate Question – Why Do We Love Phelps vs. Lochte?

Allow me to introduce the newest contributor to SwimSwam – Grayson Gibson. Grayson is a high school senior in Jacksonville,…

Picks: Lochte, Phelps, Clary Battle Set for Day 1 in Omaha

All eyes will be focused on these three on the first day of trials in Omaha. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Davis Tarwater, US Olympic Preview

(Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning’/TheSwimPictures.com)

Talking Trials with Tyler Clary

Garrett talks with Tyler Clary just days before the 2012 US Olympic Trials. (Photo Courtesy © Tim Binning, theswimpictures.com)

Tyler McGill, US Olympic Preview

“McGill, 4th at Olympic Trials in 2008, is ready to make the US Olympic Team in Omaha.” (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Loaded Lineup for Trials Autograph Sessions

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Peter Vanderkaay will be among those signing in Omaha (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)