AREQUIPA, Peru – Since the first Olympic Games began on July 19, 776 BC in ancient Western Greece, many athletes have attempted to achieve glory in the ultimate international sporting competition.
Since records began, however, American Michael Phelps is considered the greatest winner. of the Olympicsreaching an impressive figure of 28 medals.
Michael Phelps, born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 30, 1985, began swimming at his local pool at the age of seven. He made rapid progress, but faced some challenges in his early years, including being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and having trouble concentrating in school. Despite these issues, however, he continued to pursue swimming and by the age of 10 was already one of the best swimmers of his age.
Bob Bowman began training him at the age of eleven, and from then on he would be by his side helping him develop his potential as a swimmer and would become a mentor and a very important figure in his life and throughout his career.
On the work done with Bowman, Phelps points out in the documentary Perfect body“At 12 years old I would never have guessed that I would turn pro at 15. I had no idea what I was capable of… and I think Bob has really brought out the skills I have.”
In 2023, both Bowman and Phelps were inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in well-deserved recognition of their achievements and the legacy they left in the world of sport.
A man who made history at the Olympic Games
Michael Phelps first qualified for the Olympics at the 2000 Sydney Games when he was just 15, becoming the youngest swimmer in the US team. In Sydney, Phelps finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly, an outstanding performance for his age.
After the Sydney Games he became a full-time athlete and competed in the next four editions of the Olympics; making history in every one of them. At Athens 2004 he won six medals, four of which were gold. At 19 years old, he thus became the youngest swimmer in history to win four gold medals in a single edition of the Olympic Games. Phelps’ success in Athens was the start of a legendary career.
At Beijing 2008 she set a new record by winning eight gold medals in a single edition of the Olympics: four in butterfly events, two in freestyle events and two in medley events.
In London 2012 he won four gold medals and two silver medals, becoming the most successful Olympic medallist of all time.
Nicknamed the Baltimore Shark, Michael Phelps retired after the 2016 Rio Games, after having won six other medals (five gold and one silver) at that edition. With this performance, he reached 28 Olympic medals, a record he still holds.
Michael Phelps, considered the greatest swimmer of all time, has had to fight depression for most of his life.
In 2016 Michael Phelps made public his fight against this disease and has since spoken openly about it on several occasions. At various times, she has shared her experience of what it is like to live with this illness and has given advice to those who suffer from depression.
By speaking out in interviews and on social media, Michael Phelps has helped break the stigma associated with depression and shown that it is possible to overcome the illness. Through his foundation, the Michael Phelps Foundation, created in 2008, he also offers support to people struggling with depression and promotes healthy lifestyles.
