The Life and Times of Michael Phelps

At the age of 15 years and 9 months, Michael Phelps introduced himself to the world of swimming by breaking the 200 m butterfly with a time of 1:54.92 in Austin, Texas. A few months later in the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, he broke it again. In the same world championships he also won a gold medal in the Individual Medley.

Michael Phelps was born to Fred and Debbie Phelps on June 30, 1985. His sister Hillary, though showing great swimming promise, gave up the sport. When his other sister Whitney could not make it to the US Olympic team in 1996, he must have felt the need to do well for the family.

His swimming coach at North Baltimore Aquatic Club, Bob Bowman, served as a father figure to Phelps after his parents had divorced. Coach Bowman seeing the talent in Phelps convinced is mother to let him train. He had noticed that he took instructions well, worked hard and did not become nervous in competitions. He was very competitive and hated losing. Coach Bowman had to reprimand him for throwing away his goggles after losing a race to a swimmer of the same age group.

Michael Phelps over his career has set a total 23 world records as of 2007. Of these world records 20 are individual records and 3 are relay records. His comparison to great swimmers like Mark Spitz is not in vain as only Mark Spitz has more world records with 33 world records. If Phelps maintains his health, he could easily reach that mark as he is still very young. He also has as of 2007 38 US National titles, quickly approaching the record held by Tracy Caulkins.

The 2004 summer Olympics belonged to Michael Phelps. He was attempting to break the world record of 7 gold medals won in the Olympics set in 1972 by Mark Spitz. Phelps managed to tie Spitz’s record of 4 individual gold medals. He was competing in eight Olympic events and had a great chance to break the record. However, a bronze in the 4x100 m freestyle relay and a bronze in what was regarded as the race of the century in the 200 m freestyle only made him the second Olympian to win 8 medals.

Phelps’s generosity was evident when he deferred to American team-mate Ian Crocker in the 100 m butterfly final. It is this kind of physical ability and generosity that has earned Phelps some of the biggest sponsorships in sports even at his young age.

His personal life is not without controversy. In 2004, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Salisbury, Maryland. He pled guilty to driving while impaired and was sentenced to 18 months of probation and a $250 fine. He was also required to give speeches to students in high school and attend Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

At his tender age Michael Phelps has managed to get the attention of the world with his swimming genius. He might have broken nearly all the records that are available in a swimming pool but no one doubts that there is more in store for all of us from this young phenomenon.

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