Michael Phelps is the most decorated swimmer in the sport’s history and has more Olympic medals than any human in history with 28, ahead of Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina who has 18 across three Olympics from 1956-1964.
Although what Phelps has done was unprecedented, he wants kids to believe that they are fully capable of achieving what he achieved.
“A lot of people thought that what I did was impossible,” Phelps told The National, a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates.
“If there is a kid out there who is truly willing to dream, dream as big as he can that he will literally shock himself, then anything is possible.”
Phelps was in Dubai for the opening of the Under Armour Store in Dubai Mall on Monday.
“Records are made to be broken and I truly wish there is a little boy or girl out there who wants to do it and believes they can,” Phelps said.
Phelps didn’t mention anyone specifically by name if they could potentially match his 28 Olympic medals. Ryan Lochte, Natalie Coughlin, Dara Torres and Jenny Thompson have the most medals by swimmers after Phelps with 12. It took 32 years between Mark Spitz’ last Olympic medal and Phelps’ first, so it could potentially take that long or longer before we see someone seriously challenge Phelps’ medal count.
But Phelps wanted to ensure that it isn’t impossible.
Phelps also talked about doping in sport and how he hopes greater curbs can be placed.
“For me, the one frustrating thing I see in my sport, swimming, is some people who feel that they deserve to be given something, rather than working for it,” he said.
“That frustrates me, because I know how hard it is to get to the top.”
This is not the first time Phelps has spoken out about doping in swimming, although he did not mention swimming specifically when he was in Dubai.
“I hope in sports in the coming years we will get people who do emerge. There has to be people out there who are hungry enough, and hopefully they are doing it the right way.
“We can talk about doping. That is something that has to change. For sports to really grow and change, for me, I would really like to see federations step up and police certain things, so we are competing on a level playing field.”
To read the original report from The National, click here.
The crazy thing is it gets harder to be world class with each passing year. If you look at mark spitz’s times he wouldn’t even make finals at nationals nowadays. Could you imagine how hard it would be to beat Phelps’ record of 23 gold medals, if his best times don’t even make top 8 at nationals? Pretty crazy.
And while Kalisz is on the come up, Phelps 400 IM time is still untouched in 9 years closest being lochte in London and I think that’ll be the last of his records to be broken
Pablo Zapata 200fly is pretty untouchable
Robert Woodard
Well now they have added events it will be easier
Easier? Have you any clue about how difficult his schedule was? Prelims, Semis, Finals? No, not easier…
You seem to have misunderstood what I said. They have added events to the swimming schedule including an extra relay. This will make the road for a future swimmer easier than it was for Phelps
It could be true but really hard, same as the records that Usain Bolt made. Two talented athletes?
I doubt it Aquaman!
Yes. His name is Boomer.
joseph schooling FTW !!!!
Oh yeah….Caleb Dressing already has made him inconsequential going forward. Schooling’s gold medal count is done at one.
the kid just warmed up. chill. ?
Me encanta!!
Yeah….his son!?
You will always be the greatest! !!!!
That is easy. Katie Ledecky will surpass him soon 😉
No way…. 23 golds ok olympic Games….! That’s an impossible feat to achieve…
As awesome as she is, she’s already lagging behind. There is no way she’ll ever win 7-8 golds in a single olympics just to keep pace.
She is awesome but doesn’t have the versatility of Phelps
World Championship LC gold medal comparison at age 20, both after three World Championships, and no mixed relays:
Katie Ledecky, 14 gold medals, 10 in individual events
Michael Phelps, 10 gold medals, 6 in individual events
Ledecky can swim the 100-200-400-800-1500 Freestyle at an elite level, has won three of those events in three straight World Championships (something MP has never done and no one else has ever done) and she broke the AR in 400 IM last year SCY in NCAA action. That’s pretty versatile. MP won just one Olympic race in individual Freestyle (200 Free in 2008 Beijing), the rest were in medley or butterfly. Ledecky’s distance range exceeds MP. From a versatility standpoint, why would Team USA wish to deploy KL in other strokes, any more so than it would have deployed MP in distance free?
Interesting? . . .
I have never seen Phelps swim sprint and distance. He has never swum more than a 200. Katie does both. She is also a versatile swimmer in that respect.
To set the record straight, Phelps did not win any medals in his first Olympics (Sydney, Australia) while Katie did (London). She added 4 more gold and a silver in Rio.
If you haven’t heard, they will be adding more swim events in the next summer Olympics, too. That can increase her medal count. Furthermore, Katie is young enough and fast enough to do several more Olympics 😉
Raekwon Noel
Drew reiter. :))
Go Andrew!!!
And her name Katie Ledecky.
She can win an impossible six golds (for her) over each of the next three consecutive Olympics and be 31 at the end of it and STILL be short.
Dave Hoover she has 5 medals so far and would tie Phelps if she received 6 medals the next three Olympics. She has a better chance then most others.
I believe it too
His name is Boomer!
Yep, it’s him if he comes back for another Olympics …
It may sound like a crazy feet, but if you think about any post-race/match/whatever interview you have ever heard…I find the have something in common. The athlete never takes all of the credit and finds their success in the ever constant challenge presented by other competitors. It is the internal drive these amazing people have that keep them pushing the envelope and raising the bar. I love that Phelps thinks he can be beat-it shows he is and always will be an athlete that cares for his sport.
#ledecky
My son ??
Not going to happen for a very very very loooooooong time. Nope.
Alma
It will only happen with additional technology. Would be great. Great that he doesn’t think he’s unbeatable.
I think it’s great that you inspire greatness from people esp our youth!
Be very hard to pass tally as most athletes specialise these days.He is a perfectionist in all strokes a legend?
His name is Caeleb Dressel.
Not in the foreseeable future Michael.
Carson Foster
Yes his son
God blees.
Class act
Lochte.
No
My son will and his name is Freddy III
Ledecky!