#30MostSwimfluential: Michael Phelps

Jun 21, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Michael Phelps (USA) talks with his coach Bob Bowman before the morning session of day four at the George F. Haines International Swim Center in Santa Clara, Calif. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Robert Stanton/USA Today Sports Images

Who is Michael Phelps?

Most decorated Olympian of all time, with 22 Olympic medals.
Holds record for all time Olympic gold medals (18), Olympic gold medals in individual events (11), and Olympic medals in an individual event for a male (13).
At the age of 15, Phelps became the youngest American male swimmer to compete at an Olympic Games in 68 years.
Won 8 gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, and took the record for the most first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games.
In the 2012 London Olympics, Phelps won four gold and two silver medals making him the most successful athlete in the games for the third Olympics in a row.
World record holder in 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly and 400m IM.
Started the Michael Phelps Foundation after the 2008 Olympics to help grow the sport of swimming and promote healthier lifestyles.
Along with Aqua Sphere and his Coach Bob Bowman, he launched his own swimming line, MP, in 2015.

How did he influence the swimming community?

Michael Phelps is the most well-recognized name in the swimming community. He gave the sport of swimming a face known all over the world and he has changed how people think about the sport. He brought it into the scene as a competitive sport, encouraging more kids to start swimming. Winning 22 Olympic medals, Phelps is the “Greatest Olympian Of All Time” and has used his notability to encourage healthier lifestyles and grow the sport of swimming.

*USA Swimming and Speedo invited the swimming community to help celebrate their 30 years of partnership by voting for the “30 Most Influential People in Swimming Over the Past 30 Years.” Votes were cast through social media with the hashtag #30MostSwimfluential and the final vote came from a panel of 10 judges selected by USA Swimming and Speedo. All 30 nominees have had a powerful impact on the swimming community. Many are recognizable names, but some have remained unsung heroes of the sport. Swimming World will profile each swimfluential person over the course of the week.

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Mar Herr

8 years ago

The best forever.

Lisa

8 years ago

Yes suri* that’s OUR BOY!!! Hoooyah