It is hard to find a swimmer better than Phelps as the American dominated the major tournaments with relative ease.
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Arguably the greatest swimmer of all time, Michael Phelps’ achievements extend beyond his Gold medals. It is no exaggeration to state that the world stood still to watch Phelps swim. With 28 Olympic medals, there is not a swimmer who can come close to the American’s monumental achievements. His 23 Olympic Gold medals make him the most successful athlete in the history of Summer Games. His career might have ended, but the records he set might take ages to be broken.
There is not a stroke he cannot do. As good as Phelps is with butterfly, he is equally capable with freestyle, backstroke and individual medley. It is the variety of strokes and his versatility that allows Michael to maintain his dominance across various categories. His ability to remain calm and focused under immense pressure helps him get the better of his rivals. Above all, it is the consistency that helps him stay at the top for long.
At the age of 15, a massively talented Phelps secured an unlikely Olympic berth in the 2000 Summer Games. Even though he did not win a medal, the American started to be dubbed as the next best thing in the sports. Two years later, it was the Gold in the 200m butterfly at the 2001 World Championships that helped Phelps attain his first major spotlight moment. There was no looking back since.
It was at the 2004 Summer Olympics, Phelps had his first major breakthrough. He matched the record of eight Olympic medals at a single Games. Most notably, the American sensation won a staggering six Gold medals in Athens and also won two Bronze medals. He broke multiple records with his stupendous performance and instantly became a household name in the sport.
In the 2008 Beijing Games, Phelps attained legendary status. He broke the former American swimmer Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of winning seven Gold medals in a single Olympics. His record-breaking eighth Gold medal in Beijing arrived in the 4×100-meter medley relay. Trailing Australia and Japan at one point, Phelps’s incredible 100-meter butterfly leg helped USA regain the top spot, which his teammates held on to win the Gold.
He had another memorable 2012 London Olympics, when he bagged four Gold and two Silver medals. The Gold came in 100m butterfly, 200m medley, 4×200m freestyle and 4×100m medley. But the real shock came at the end of the tournament as the American superstar retired from the sport.
Two years later, Phelps made a memorable comeback. He hit the ground running straight away as he continued to set the pace at the top level. His two year absence did not hamper his momentum as Phelps went into 2016 Rio Olympics as a clear favourite, and he did not let down his fans.
Chosen to be the American flag bearer at the opening ceremony, Phelps bettered his previous Olympic tally to win five Gold and a silver. The 200m butterfly and 200m medley Gold medals were his crowning jewel in the tournament. He suffered a shock second place finish at the 100m butterfly, yet the five Gold medals helped him bow out in style.
At the end of the Games, he retired for good. He will undoubtedly be regarded as the best the sport has ever seen. Infact his incredible performances in the Summer Games make him the most successful athlete in the Olympics. Without a shadow of a doubt, Phelps will always be fondly remembered as one of the greatest ever sports personalities of all time.
