10 Years After Retirement, Michael Phelps Still Highly Ranked in Variety of Events
Nearly a decade has passed since Michael Phelps bid farewell to the sport. His exclamation point was the 28th medal of his Olympic career at the Rio de Janeiro Games, gold claimed by the United States in the 400-meter medley relay. In the days since, Phelps has played a prominent role in the mental-health space, and has occasionally contributed insights as a member of NBC’s broadcast booth during major championships.
The last of his world records was erased in 2023 when Leon Marchand, also coached by Bob Bowman, took down Phelps’ global standard in the 400 individual medley at the World Champs in Fukuoka. Yet, Phelps’ name continues to dot the all-time world and American rankings. While Phelps was celebrated during his spectacular career, time has allowed for even greater appreciation of the G.O.A.T.
Despite the passing of time, Phelps remains a historical top-five performer in five events and a top-seven all-time American racer in seven disciplines. Those are impressive numbers, particularly with continued evolutions in training and new talent consistently emerging.
From a global perspective, Phelps is still ranked No. 2 in a pair events. His title-winning times from the 200 freestyle (1:42.96) and 400 IM (4:03.84) at the 2008 Olympics Games have endured, while he still sits third in the 200 butterfly (1:51.51) and 200 IM (1:54.16). Phelps can be found at No. 4 in the 100 butterfly (49.82) and he is 18th in the 200 backstroke, thanks to a 1:54.65 outing at the 2007 U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.
Shifting to his American-ranking status, Phelps can add three events in which he still sits in the top-25. The best of those events is the 100 freestyle, where Phelps briefly held the American record. At the Beijing Games, Phelps led off the victorious 400 freestyle relay with an effort of 47.51. That race, of course, was punctuated by Jason Lezak’s legendary anchor that enabled the United States to clip France at the finish.
World Rankings
200 Freestyle (1:42.96) – Second
200 Backstroke (1:54.65) – 18th
100 Butterfly (49.82) – Fourth
200 Butterfly (1:51.51) – Third
200 Medley (1:54.16) – Third
400 Medley (4:03.84) – Second
American Rankings
100 Freestyle (47.51) – Seventh
200 Freestyle (1:42.96) – First
400 Freestyle (3:46.73) – 25th
100 Backstroke (53.01) – 16th
200 Backstroke (1:54.65) – Seventh
200 Breaststroke (2:11.30) – 32nd
100 Butterfly (49.82) – Second
200 Butterfly (1:51.51) – First
200 Medley (1:54.16) – Second
400 Medley (4:03.84) – First