Born in 1985, Baltimore native Michael Phelps attended the University of Michigan before establishing himself as one of the highest-tiered competitive swimmers of the early 21st century. Phelps first entered the international spotlight at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, where he won six gold medals and two bronze; that feat qualified him as the first Olympian since 1980 to net eight medals in one Olympic year. Riding the crest of glory from that competition, Phelps subsequently participated in the 2005 World Championship games, where he netted five gold medals and one silver medal, then moved on to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, where he won eight more gold medals -- the most ever won by an athlete at a single Olympics. He also set several world records and became the top Olympic gold medal-winning athlete of all time (with a total of 14). Phelps' many additional accomplishments include winning 17 World Championships, setting world records in the 200m butterfly and the 200m IM (individual medley), and achieving first-place victories in the 800m free relay, the 400m free relay, and the 400m IM at the Pan-Pacific Swimming Championships. He returned to the Olympics in 2012 and left those games as the most decorated Olympian in American history, garnering 22 medals. Phelps retired after those games, but returned to the pool in 2014 in a bid to make the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Michael Phelps
Active - 2013 - 2014 |
Born - Jun 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
Genres - Sports & Recreation, Comedy, Drama
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Biography by AllMovie
Factsheet
- Became the youngest swimming world-record holder ever at age 15.
- In 2003, set five world records in one international meet.
- Claimed eight medals (six gold, two bronze) in his Olympic debut, the 2004 Games in Athens.
- Started the Swim with the Stars Tour (with Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg) after the 2004 Olympics to promote the sport.
- Won eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, breaking fellow swimmer Mark Spitz's record for most first-place finishes in a single Games.
- In 2008, established the Michael Phelps Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes swimming and helps kids build healthy lives through the sport.
- Captured four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Olympics in London, breaking the all-time record with 22 total Olympic medals.
- Retired following the 2012 Games, but returned to competition in May 2014.
- Is a two-time Associated Press Athlete of the Year (2008, 2012).
- With his qualification for the 2015 Olympics in Rio, became the first American male swimmer to make five Olympics; chosen as the flag-bearer for the Opening Ceremonies.
- Won six golds at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and was part of a three-way tie for silver in the 100m butterfly, bringing his total medal count to 28, with 23 of them gold.
- Has a street named after him in Baltimore.