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.”

Tyler McGill, US Olympic Preview

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 …

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)

Ricky Berens, US Olympic Trials Preview

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

I want to be like Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin.

Dear Katrina, I want to be a champion like Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin. How do they keep being so…

USC’s Dakota Hodgson Featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered”

This afternoon, while driving home from work, I caught a piece on NPR featuring Dakota Hodgson talking about the upcoming Olympic…

Picks: Adrian Favored in 100, But Will Phelps Swim Finals?

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

Matt Targett, Australian Olympic 4×100 Insider Info

Matt Targett, Aussie 4×100 Relay World Champion, gives insight into Team USA’s chances at the London Olympics. (photo: presswire)

The Weekend that Was in Swimming

Garrett McCaffrey helps you sort through what happened on one of the busiest racing weekends of the year.