Learn

Quick Facts
DOB: June 30, 1985
Hometown: Baltimore, MD
Diet: 12,000 calories per day
Height: 6 foot 4 inches
Wingspan: 6 foot 7 inches
Weight: 195 pounds
Shoe size: 14

8 Gold Medals in the 2008 Olympics
Michael Phelps is officially the greatest swimmer in the world! Phelps had one ultimate goal in mind for the Beijing Olympic Games - to break the 7 gold medal record held by Mark Spitz since the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. Although many people were skeptical that it could not be done, he proved them wrong. After winning his eighth gold medal in the 4×100 meter medley relay (his final swimming event in the 2008 Olympics) Phelps stated, “Nothing is impossible. With so many people saying it couldn’t be done, all it takes is an imagination, and that’s something I learned and something that helped me.” Winning eight gold medals in a single Olympic games is only a portion of Phelps’ Olympic accomplishments. Phelps has won a total of 16 Olympic medals so far in his career, making him the second most decorated Olympic athlete of all time. Phelps also holds 7 world swimming records and 6 U.S. swimming records.

Phelps’ Physical Advantage
Phelps has the ideal swimmer’s physique - tall, broad shoulders, and narrow hips. Along with these classic traits, he has a long torso and short legs (his inseam is only 32 inches). Phelps height/leg ratio serves to his advantage because the lower body is what causes resistance or “drag” when swimming. Phelps also has a very long wingspan (measured from fingertip to fingertip) which is 3 inches longer than his height. Most people have identical height and wingspan length. Last but not least Phelps is double-jointed so his body is hyperflexible. This hyperflexibility allows Phelps to flex his feet approximately 15 degrees further than the average person, turning his feet into powerful “flippers.”

Phelps and the Future
Phelps’ recent accomplishments will make him the world’s richest professional swimmer worth an estimated 5 million dollars a year (or maybe more). Michael Phelps will continue to train as a swimmer and we can look forward to Phelps’ performance at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. We won’t miss it!