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.”

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

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 …

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)

The Superpowers of the US 200 Free

The top 17 seeds in Omaha all swam for 4 college teams. (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Phelps Last Interview before U.S. Trials

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

The Great SwimSwam Pick ‘Em Contest

Which one of these three superstars do you think will win the 400 IM (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Lochte in 11; Coughlin in 5; Dara Just 1 Event for Trials

With the release of the 2012 US Olympic Trials psych sheets, we can now answer at least some of the…

Phelps Entered in 400 IM, 200 Back, 100 Free at Trials

Phelps has 7 individual entries in Omaha, making a possible 10 for London. (Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)

Exclusive Interview with Bob Bowman

Garrett catches up with Bob less than a week out from the 2012 US Olympic Trials.

Nick Thoman, US Olympic Trials Preview

“Thoman faces-off with David Plummer, Matt Grevers and many more in the men’s 100 backstroke at US Olympic Trials in Omaha.” (Photo Courtesy: ©Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com)