The Greatest of all – Michael Phelps

Suresh Kumar Lau

There is no tremendous test for an athlete than competing in the Olympic. Speculate to shine comes only every four years and for some, just in a lifetime. The astonishing feats of athletes such as Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are recorded at the Rio Olympic 2016.

Phelps first took to the pool as seven years old, setting USA national age group records within three years. By adolescent it was clear he had the appropriate physique for swimming. Phelps domination of the pool began four years before the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 in Athens 2004. In Beijing was to achieve a clean stroke in each of his eight events and eclipse the performance of Olympic legend Mark Spitz, who was one of the stars Munich 1972 with his record – breaking seven gold medals. He achieved his ideal dream, winning every race he entered, including Butterfly, Freestyle, Individual Medley and Relay titles – setting seven new world and Olympics records in the process.

The Baltimore ‘buckshot’ and ‘fittest man ever’ at London 2012 where he continued to dominate the pool, coming up with further splendid tally of four gold medals and two silver medals. The 31 year old American all of 6 – foot 4 – inch, has a wing span of 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and his size 14 feet. Phelps won five gold and a silver in Rio Olympic Games 2016. 

Phelps final overall Olympic medal tally of 28 medals (23 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze) makes him the most decorated man in Olympic history. He won 33 World Championship medals (26 gold, 6 silver and 1 bronze). He became one of only three athletes to have won titles in the same individual event at four- in –a - row Olympic Games. Competing in his fifth Olympics, Phelps joined by his countrymen Carl Lewis (Long jump, 1984 – 96), Al Oerter (discus, 1956 – 68) as the only member of four – in – a row group.

MICHEAL PHELPS – An amazing career

Olympic Games Medals

(2004 – 2016)

Gold – 23    Silver- 3 Bronze -2      Total 28 medals

Athens 2004

(Gold – 6 medals, Bronze – 2 medals)

100 m Butterfly -                     Gold

200 m Butterfly -                     Gold

200 m Individual Medley -       Gold

400 m Individual Medley -       Gold

4 x 200 m Freestyle Relay -     Gold

200 m Freestyle -                    Bronze

4x100 m Freestyle Relay-        Bronze

Beijing 2008

(Gold – 8 Medals)

100 m Butterfly -                     Gold

200 m Butterfly -                     Gold

200 m Freestyle -                    Gold

200 m Individual Medley -       Gold

400 m Individual Medley -       Gold

4x100 m Freestyle Relay-        Gold

4 x 200 m Freestyle Relay -     Gold

4x100 m Medley Relay -         Gold

London 2012

(Gold – 4 Silver -2)

100 m Butterfly -                    Gold

200 m Freestyle -                   Gold

200 m Individual Medley -      Gold

4x100 m Medley Relay-          Gold

200 m Butterfly -                    Silver

4x100 m Freestyle Relay -      Silver

Rio 2016

(Gold 5, Silver 1)

200 m Individual Medley -      Gold

200 m Butterfly -                    Gold

4 x 200 m Freestyle Relay -    Gold

4x100 m Medley Relay-         Gold

4x100 m Freestyle Relay -      Gold

100 m Butterfly -                    Silver