Swimmer Michael Phelps. Where did Michael Phelps come from?

American swimmer Michael Phelps not only interrupted the two-year hegemony of Swiss tennis player Roger Federer in our poll, but also managed to collect a record percentage of journalistic votes. And this despite impressive competition in the person of the 100-meter king Usain Bolt! It’s no wonder that our correspondent Pavel LYSENKOV, who worked at the Beijing Olympics, was most stunned by the water monster from the USA.

The most vivid impression that I brought back from Beijing, of course, is associated with Michael Phelps. I saw such a block live! I think his record of eight gold medals in one Games will not be broken by anyone. Certainly in the 21st century. Even if aliens from Saturn are allowed to participate in the universal competition. Therefore, while still in China, I began to collect a complete dossier on Michael Fred Phelps, a native of Baltimore, Maryland. And this is what I ended up with...

1. Phelps is not 80% water, like ordinary people, but by 90 percent. That's why he swims so fast.

2. The effect is achieved by the fact that Phelps drinks a lot. In one day, Michael can blow out more liquid than he weighs, that is, 91 liters (for this indicator he has already entered the Guinness Book of Records). Your correspondent encountered Phelps three times at the Water Cube, and each time he had a bottle in his hand. And one day Michael came to a press conference with a pacifier, which contained a solution with vitamins and useful minerals.

3. Phelps drinks not only water, but also alcohol. In November 2004, he was arrested by Maryland police for driving under the influence. Michael was fined $250 and forced to attend a course of lectures on “Mothers against Alcoholics Driving,” after which the athlete was released on bail.

As Michael himself stated, his body needs alcohol for processes internal combustion- to swim quickly.

4. Phelps wears size 50 shoes. At the same time, he has relatively short legs - such that he can ride a pony without touching the ground. Therefore, when Michael jumps into the water, according to aquadynamics, it is as if he turns into a dolphin. During the training sessions of the US national team, the future champion beat scuba divers in fins and mini-submarines on a bet.

5. Phelps’ height is 193 cm, arm span is 201 cm. While still at school, Michael could hug five classmates in one fell swoop. Coach Bob Bowman noticed that the guy had talent and invited him to the swimming section.

6. Phelps' heart can pump over 30 liters of blood per minute. Thanks to this, Michael quickly recovers from record-breaking swims. His endurance is such that the American may well compete with Larisa Ilchenko in the marathon. And once Phelps even swam crawl from Newfoundland to Greenland.

7. Phelps eats about 12 thousand kilocalories a day, which is five times the norm for anyone normal person. Michael gets a ton of energy from spaghetti and chips, and before each final his coach runs out to get him pizza and cola.

8. Phelps was tested for doping nine times during the Olympics. And all the tests were negative. Now Michael is part of the community of athletes - friends of WADA, who voluntarily agree to be checked at any time of the day. When Phelps' blood is taken at night, he doesn't even wake up.

9. As a child, Phelps suffered from hyperactivity disorder. He was a very absent-minded, but extremely active boy. One day Michael ran away from home and was only found in California. The child forgot where he lives. Therefore, the mother sent her son to swimming so that the restless Phelps would be limited to the space of the pool.

10. Experts have calculated that if Phelps were a country, then by the middle of the Olympics he would have been fourth in the medal standings - after China, the USA and Germany. Infected by this idea, Michael is now thinking about establishing his own autonomy within the state of Maryland.

11. Minister of Sports Vitaly Mutko, who came to the Olympics, offered Phelps naturalization. They are ready to give Michael Russian citizenship, an apartment in St. Petersburg and a salary like Arshavin’s. Experts have calculated that if Michael had competed for the Russian national team in Beijing, we would have overtaken America in the medal count.

12. Three have already been named after Phelps. settlements in USA. You can check it on the map. This is a village near New York, as well as cities in the states of Kentucky and Wisconsin. In addition, there is a lake in the States - it is also called Phelps. After Michael's eighth victory at the Olympics, 528 cases were recorded in the world when infants, birds and pets were named Phelps.

13. Michael is studying at the University of Michigan, studying sports marketing and management. Two years ago, Phelps received Nobel Prize for “Analysis of Intertemporal Exchange in Macroeconomic Policy.” The idea to write this work came to him while swimming the 200 m butterfly.

14. Phelps promised that he would not marry until he broke Larisa Latynina's record for the most Olympic medals in a career. Now the ratio is not in favor of the American - 16 versus 18. Phelps' fiancee has four more years to wait for her wedding trip to Hawaii.

15. By the end of December, Phelps promised to write a book in which he will talk about his trip to Beijing and how he shaved his mustache before the Olympics. The autobiography will be called “Built to Succeed.”

P.S.

The dossier was compiled based on data from the Internet, visual observation behind Phelps, as well as the author's imagination.

Michael Phelps was born on June 30 1985 of the year. His father Fred Phelps was a police officer, his mother Debbie Phelps worked as a teacher. Michael Phelps' family lived in Baltimore (Maryland, USA).

Michael began swimming at the age of 7, when his two older sisters, Whitney ( 1978 year of birth) and Hilary ( 1980 year of birth), accepted into the local swimming team. IN 1994 In the year his parents divorced, and the children began to live with their mother, with whom Michael still has a very close relationship.

Michael met his coach, Bob Bowman, while training at the North Baltimore Swim Club. Bob immediately recognized Michael's potential and became his coach, who still trains him today.

At age 15, Michael Phelps became the youngest Olympic competitor in American swimming history. He participated with the American team in the Olympic Games in Sydney ( 2000 d), although he came there only fifth.

in spring 2001 Phelps set a world record in the 200-meter butterfly and became the youngest swimmer in history to set a world record. He was then 15 years and 9 months old. He later broke his record at the World Swimming Championships 2001 year with a time of 1:54:58, earning his first international medal.

2002 the year brought Phelps participation in the U.S. Summer Nationals. And several more records: a new world record in the 400-meter medley and US records in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter medley. At the same meet the following year, Phelps broke his own 400m medley world record in 4:09.09.

Soon after graduating from Towson High School (a suburb of Baltimore) in 2003 year, 17-year-old Michael Phelps set 5 world records, including the 200m medley at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona with a time of 1:56:04. Then during the qualifying competitions for the Olympics 2004 he again broke his own world record in the 400 m medley, completing the distance in 4:08:41.

Phelps became a celebrity after the Olympics 2004 year in Athens, where he earned 8 medals (6 of them gold). So he repeated the record of the Russian gymnast Alexander Dityatin for the total number of medals received in one Olympics, set by Dityatin in 1980 Phelps received gold for the 100 m butterfly, 200 m butterfly, 200 m medley, 4x200 freestyle and 4x100 medley, bronze - for the 200 m freestyle and 4x100 freestyle. He also set 3 Olympic records and 1 world record.

IN 2004 Bob Bowman was transferred to Michigan and Michael went with him. He entered the University of Michigan to study Sports Marketing and Management, continuing to train under the guidance of his coach.

IN 2007 In 2009, Phelps took part in the World Championships in Melbourne, where he won 7 gold medals and set 5 new world records. In preparation for the Olympic Games 2008 , Phelps set himself the task of breaking the record of his compatriot Mark Spitz, who at the Olympics 1972 year in Munich won 7 gold awards.

At the Beijing Olympics 2008 Phelps became a real sensation, winning 8 gold medals. He won the 400m medley, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m medley, 100m butterfly, as well as the 4x100m freestyle, 4x100m medley and 4x200m freestyle relays. In all swims except the 100m butterfly, Michael set world records. Thus, he broke the record of his great predecessor and compatriot Mike Spitz for the most gold won at one Olympics. Having won 14 Olympic gold medals during his career, Michael Phelps has become a decorated athlete in the world.

At the Olympic Games in London 2012 In the year, in the total number of Olympic awards, Michael surpassed all athletes in all sports - 20 medals, breaking the record (18), which stood for 48 years, and also became a 16-time Olympic champion.

Outside the pool, Phelps lives the same life as everyone else. He enjoys playing golf and Halo 3 on the computer, watching TV, listening to hip-hop, and eating popcorn. He spends his free time with his friends and his English bulldog Herman.

This athlete earned the nickname “Baltimore Bullet” for good reason. Michael Fred Phelps II - that's it full name the famous American swimmer - managed to win the Olympic Games 23 times, 13 of them in individual competitions. Today he holds the record for the number of awards, which no one has yet managed to surpass.

Michael Phelps was born in June 1985 in the city of Baltimore, in the US state of Maryland. Michael was one of 3 children of school principal Deborah Sue Davisson and football player Michael Fred Phelps. When Michael was 9 years old, his parents' marriage ended. The boy was painfully worried about the divorce of his father and mother. In the 6th grade, the future sports star was diagnosed with “hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder.”

My older sister brought my 7-year-old brother to the pool. 3 years later the boy broke the national record in his age group. Experienced coach Bob Bowman took over the future career of the talented swimmer.

Swimming

Under the guidance of a mentor, Michael rapidly climbed to the sporting Olympus. At age 15, Michael was selected to participate in the 2000 Olympics, becoming the youngest competitor in the history of the games. Then in Sydney, Australia, the swimmer managed to win only 5th place. But a year later, Michael surprised everyone by breaking the world record. In the United States, Phelps was announced as the 2001 swimmer of the year.

But this was only a glorious beginning. In 2003, after graduating high school, the 17-year-old athlete set world records 5 times. But fame came to him the following year at the Olympics in Athens. Before Michael Phelps, only Russian gymnast Alexander Dityatin managed to win 8 medals, 6 of which were gold, in 1980. As for swimming, the American turned out to be a pioneer.

In the same 2004, Phelps moved with his constant coach Bob Bowman to Michigan. Here Michael entered the university, choosing the faculty of sports management.

In 2007, Michael went to Melbourne, where he participated in the World Championships. Here Phelps managed to win 7 gold medals and set 5 world records. Phelps is becoming a household name for swimmers around the world.

But the athlete himself saw in front of him those peaks that remained unconquered. Michael dreamed of breaking the record of compatriot Mark Spitz. He managed to win 7 gold medals at the Olympic Games held in Munich in 1972. Phelps trained hard. And at the Olympics Chinese Beijing in 2008, the athlete managed to achieve what he wanted: 8 gold medals. Spitz's record, which had previously been called "eternal", was achieved and broken.

In 2009, the athlete was accused of doping. Paparazzi captured a swimmer with a marijuana pipe. And although the athlete tested clear, and smoking cannabis is not prohibited out of competition, USA Swimming significantly disqualified Phelps for three months for disappointing people who believe in him.

The sports biography of Michael Phelps is a series of real triumphs. During his career, the American champion managed to win 19 Olympic gold medals and break world records 32 times - a result that most swimmers in the world can only dream of.

In 2012, after the London Olympics, 27-year-old Michael Phelps announced his decision to call it a day. sports biography. After participating in this Olympics, the swimmer surpassed all athletes in all sports in the number of Olympic awards. Michael Phelps received 22 medals at that time and broke the record set by a Soviet gymnast. This record stood for 48 years.

But in 2014, the athlete again took part in the games. Fans of the champion heard the same words about retirement in 2016: the swimmer again stated that the Olympics in Brazil would be his last. In Rio de Janeiro, Phelps once again lived up to the expectations of his fans. The athlete managed to break his own record for gold medals.

Now Michael Phelps is a 23-time Olympic champion. He has 28 awards collected from all the Olympics in which he participated. At the same time, out of the swimmer’s 23 gold medals, 13 belong to individual competitions, which allowed the athlete. Moreover, this record remained unattainable for 2168 years: in 152 BC, the ancient Greek athlete Leonidas of Rhodes received 12 gold medals in the individual competition.

Personal life

Not only was Michael Phelps’s sports career excellent, but also his personal life. Him happy marriage with model Nicole Johnson, who was crowned Miss California in 2010.

In May 2016, Nicole gave birth to her happy husband’s first child, whom the couple named Robert. Michael Phelps shared his joy with his fans, saying that he had never experienced greater happiness.

The couple has been together since 2010. The athlete assures that now he simply must spend more time with his grown family. And the swimmer really sticks to this plan, in " Instagram“In every second photo of Phelps, the athlete is depicted with his family.

The swimmer’s athletic achievements are often associated, in addition to swimming technique, with Phelps’s body features. Michael has a 47 foot size, which is statistically larger than the average size for his height. The athlete also has disproportionately short legs and a long torso and arms. In this case, the swimmer’s arm span reaches different estimates 201-203 cm, this is as much as 10 cm more than the athlete’s own height (193 cm).

The athlete’s weight is 83 kg, which is not so remarkable if not for the myth of the “Phelps diet”. Against this background of the swimmer’s victories, the diet attributed to him with 10,000-12,000 calories consumed became especially popular. But the athlete himself states that he has never eaten so much.

The swimmer does advertising and acts as the face of LZR Racer tracksuits. In addition, the athlete opened his own brand that produces specialized swimming goggles. The design of the glasses was developed by Phelps himself in collaboration with coach Bob Bowman.

Michael Phelps now

Michael Phelps has proven more than once that he has no competitors among people. Therefore, in 2017, the swimmer agreed to an unusual competition proposed by the Discovery TV channel. At a distance of 100 meters, the Olympic champion with. The swimmer lost in this competition; the shark covered the 100-meter distance by 2 seconds faster.

February 12, 2018 Michael Phelps in . The athlete shared this news on Instagram, saying that both Nicole and the baby were doing well.

Awards

• 2003 – champion of the World Championships in Barcelona in competitions at a distance of 400 m and 200 m medley swimming, at a distance of 200 m butterfly style, in the 4x100 m medley relay
• 2004 - champion of the Olympic Games in Athens in competitions at a distance of 400 m and 200 m medley swimming, at a distance of 200 m and 100 m butterfly, in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay and the 4 × 100 m medley relay
• 2005 – champion of the World Championships in Montreal in the 200 m medley and freestyle, 4×100 m freestyle relay and 4×100 m medley relay
• 2007 – champion of the World Championships in Melbourne in competitions at a distance of 400 m and 200 m medley swimming, at a distance of 200 m and 100 m butterfly style, at a distance of 200 m medley swimming, in the 4 × 200 m and 4 × 100 m relay races
• 2008 - champion of the Olympic Games in Beijing in competitions at a distance of 400 m and 200 m medley swimming, at a distance of 200 m and 100 m butterfly, at a distance of 200 m freestyle, in the 4 × 200 m and 4 × 100 m freestyle relays and medley relay 4×100 m
• 2009 – champion of the World Championships in Rome in competitions at a distance of 200 m and 100 m butterfly, in the 4 × 100 m and 4 × 200 m freestyle relays and the 4 × 100 m medley relay
• 2011 – champion of the World Championships in Shanghai in the 200 m and 100 m butterfly, 4x200 m freestyle relay and 4x100 m medley relay
• 2012 - champion of the Olympic Games in London in competitions at a distance of 200 m medley swimming and at a distance of 100 m butterfly style, in the 4 × 200 m freestyle relay and the 4 × 100 m medley relay
• 2016 - champion of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in competitions at a distance of 200 m medley swimming and butterfly style, in the 4 × 200 m and 4 × 100 m freestyle relays and the 4 × 100 m medley relay

When he debuted on Olympic Games. In Sydney, he competed only in the 200-meter butterfly, where he took fifth place.

23 gold medals Phelps won. This is an Olympics record. For comparison, Larisa Latynina, who came second, won only 18 awards, nine of which were of the highest value.

28 Olympic medals Available in the collection of Michael Phelps. In addition to the record amount of gold, he has three silvers and two bronzes.

29 individual world records set by Michael Phelps, seven of them have not yet been beaten. He performed most successfully at distances of 200 meters butterfly and 200 and 400 meters medley (eight world records each). The American relay with Michael Phelps in its composition won the world record 10 more times.

August 13, 2008. Beijing. Michael PHELPS sets one of his world records in the 200m butterfly. Photo by REUTERS

4 gold Phelps won three events in the program. At a distance of 200 meters medley and in the 4x200 freestyle and 4x100 medley relay races.

In 2001 Phelps won his first world championship, becoming the best in the 200-meter butterfly.

8 gold medals Phelps won at his most successful Olympics in Beijing. He had no equal in the 100- and 200-meter butterfly, the 200- and 400-meter medley, the 200-meter freestyle, and all three relay events.

In 2004 A street in his hometown was named after Michael Phelps Baltimore.

IN 9 disciplines Phelps won awards at international competitions. In addition to eight Beijing golds, he also has a Pacific Games silver in the backstroke. But at distances of 100 and 400 meters freestyle at the 2005 World Championships, Phelps did not reach medals.

2 years Phelps missed, taking a break from his sports career. In 2014, he returned to big swimming and began preparing for the Olympics in Rio..

Michael Phelps at the Swimmer of the Year Award. Photo by REUTERS

7 times Phelps received the Swimmer of the Year Award. In 2003, 2004, 2006-2009 and 2012. He was recognized as the best swimmer of the year in the USA nine times (2001-2004, 2006-2009, 2012).

2 major tournaments Phelps lost in the 200-meter individual medley. At the 2011 World Championships, his compatriot Ryan Lochte overtook him with a world record, and at the 2014 Pacific Games, Japanese Kosuke Hagino.

Swimmer Michael Phelps is the most decorated athlete in human history. The American phenomenon is a twenty-three-time Olympic champion. In total, Phelps’ collection includes twenty-eight Olympic medals and twenty-six gold medals won at the world championships.

Born 06/30/1985

Achievements:

• The absolute record holder in the history of the Olympic Games for the number of gold medals (23) and the total number of medals (28).
• 13-time Olympic champion in individual distances (Athens 2004 - 200 and 400 m medley, 100 and 200 m butterfly, Beijing 2008 - 200 and 400 m medley, 100 and 200 m butterfly, 200 m freestyle, London- 2012 – 200 m medley, 100 m butterfly, Rio de Janeiro 2016 – 200 m medley, 200 m butterfly).
• 10-time Olympic champion in relay races (Athens 2004 – 4x200 m freestyle, 4x100 m combined styles, Beijing 2008 – 4×100 and 4×200 m freestyle, 4×100 m combined styles, London 2012 – 4×200 m freestyle, 4×100 m combined styles, Rio de Janeiro 2016 – 4 ×100 and 4×200 m freestyle, 4×100 m combined styles).
• 26-time world champion.
• Holder of 37 world records.
• World swimmer of the year in 2003, 2004, 2006-2009, 2012.
• US Swimmer of the Year 2001-2004, 2006-2009, 2012.

From fidget to Team USA

Phelps began swimming at the age of seven, joining the section with his sisters. From early childhood, Michael was not like other children; doctors even diagnosed him with hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder. Being restless, he needed somewhere to put his energy, so the pool for the boy was very useful.

In the section, Phelps quickly attracted the attention of the coach, who took the new student seriously. Michael regularly updates US records among children and youth for all ages and becomes a candidate for the main team. The young swimmer goes to his first Olympics in Sydney and becomes fifth in the 200-meter butterfly. And this at fifteen years old!

Phelps’s first victory at the adult level came a year later, at the 2001 World Championships, after which the American came to the attention of fans, who two years later began to admire Michael. And there was a reason for it - Phelps showed himself to be a multi-station athlete at the World Championships in Barcelona, ​​becoming the champion in the 200-meter butterfly, and also winning both medley events. It is impossible not to note the versatility of the American - to his victories in individual swims, he adds gold as part of the medley relay.

Sixfold

It is obvious that Athens 2004 will be the finest hour of the swimmer who quickly broke into the world elite. And so it happened - Phelps won six gold medals, winning two victories each in his profile distances, butterfly and medley, plus he twice became a champion in the relay races - 4x200 m freestyle and medley.

But that’s not all - Michael won bronze in the most stellar swim of the Olympics - the 200-meter freestyle, imposing a serious fight on Van den Hoogenband. Sometimes it felt like Phelps didn’t get out of the pool - the next qualification was replaced by the final swim and vice versa.

At the 2005 World Championships, Phelps allows himself a little “rest” by reducing the number of disciplines. Michael took home four gold medals from Montreal. Melbourne is another matter. At the 2007 world championships, Phelps decided to hold a dress rehearsal for the Beijing Olympics. Seven finals – seven victories – one hundred percent result! To two victories in the butterfly, medley and relay races, Michael added success in the 200-meter freestyle.

Fourteenfold

Definitely, Phelps becomes the best swimmer in the world, and now everyone is worried about two questions - will Michael overtake Mark Spitz in the number of victories at one Olympics (the legendary American swimmer became a seven-time champion of Munich 1972) and will he become the most titled Olympian in history? Michael answers both questions in China positively, winning eight gold medals. Phelps becomes a champion in all types of programs in which he took part - this is fantastic!

After the grandiose triumph, Phelps slows down somewhat at the 2009 World Championships in Rome - having refused to compete in the complex, Michael takes “only” two golds in the butterfly in individual swims, but with world records. Two years later in Shanghai, Phelps traditionally wins both butterfly heats and again takes the start in the medley (200 m) - however, he is content with silver, as in the 200-meter freestyle.

Eighteenfold

It is clear that Phelps will no longer be able to stay at the level of Beijing at the London Olympics. Somewhere he lowered the demands on himself, perhaps his age began to tell - Phelps did not enter the 200-meter freestyle. Therefore, he does not plan to repeat his Beijing triumph. London brought Michael four golds: in two relay races - medley and 4x200 m/c, as well as in the short butterfly and medley - 100 and 200 meters, respectively. For the first time since 2000, Phelps did not become the champion in the 200-meter butterfly, and in the 400-meter medley he finished fourth.

Shortly after London, Phelps announced the completion sports career. This decision seemed logical - he is the best swimmer in history, having conquered incredible heights. Michael's rivals breathed a sigh of relief - now the path to the podium is open. They are diligently preparing for the 2016 Olympics, competing for medals at the World Championships, but in 2014 they learn that Phelps is returning to the sport and plans to dive into the pool again in Rio de Janeiro in order to leave it after the Olympic Games.

Twenty-three times

Phelps arrives in Rio as a dark horse - no one knows what the American multi-champion is capable of. The first preliminary swims show that Phelps is ready and will again fight for gold in all swims. In Brazil, Michael decided to further shorten his performance program by removing the 400 m medley from it. But at a distance half as long, Phelps became the champion for the fourth time in a row - a unique case!

Michael also won his fourth Olympic gold medals in two of his favorite relays - the medley and 4x200 m freestyle. In the half-short relay, the Americans regained their champion status, lost in London - Phelps, as usual, in the champion four. In the butterfly, Michael recovers from 2012 in the 200 m, but in the 100 m he comes second.

Having won five gold medals in Brazil and becoming a twenty-three-time Olympic champion, Phelps announces his retirement from the sport, this time permanently. It costs a lot to walk away a winner; leaving as a champion, only to return, surprising the world again, and leaving swimming is an act worth bowing to.

It is unknown whether a person will appear on earth who can break Michael’s record for the number of Olympic victories, but today it is clear that this athlete will be from another planet, because Phelps left such a mark in history that cannot be surpassed to an ordinary person obviously not possible.