Biography of Michael Phelps

He has conquered the hearts of millions around the world with his exceptional abilities! Read on to know more about this extraordinary person - Michael Phelps. This biography highlights some of the important events of his life.

He seems to have an unending thirst for success, and winning is almost a habit for this talented personality. With 8 gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, this young swimmer gave a whole new dimension to the sport and earned a special place in the hearts of millions across the globe. Let us take a look at his career.

Michael and His Family

This American swimmer, nicknamed MP, was born on June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland, to his father Fred Phelps and mother Debbie Phelps. He has two elder sisters, Hilary and Whitney, both of whom were excellent swimmers, and it was the family environment — his father a good athlete, his sisters actively swimming — that drew him to the water at the age of six. In his early lessons he actually had quite a fear of water, but his instructors gradually built his confidence; he found the backstroke comfortable and mastered it. He first dreamed of becoming a champion at age 11 after watching Tom Malchow and Tom Dolan. His parents divorced in 1994, and he and his sisters went to live with their mother.

He moved on to the North Baltimore Aquatic Club at the Meadowbrook Aquatic and Fitness Center, where he met coach Bob Bowman, who saw his potential and took responsibility for sharpening his skills. Michael grasped his coaching quickly, put in hours of underwater practice, and was aggressive, at times showing a short temper.

Michael Phelps' Career

Michael first qualified for the U.S. National B Team in 1999, then made history by qualifying for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney at just 15 years old — the youngest male American swimmer at the Olympics in decades. Although he did not win a medal, he finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly and ended the year ranked 7th in the world in the event. He became a professional swimmer at 16. At 15 years and 9 months, after claiming the 200m butterfly world record at the 2001 Spring Nationals, he became the youngest man ever to break a world record, and he broke his own records at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan and the 2002 Summer Nationals in Fort Lauderdale.

His feats brought him into the league of seniors such as Mark Spitz — whose poster his mother, a big fan, kept framed at home — and he tied Spitz's record of 4 gold medals in individual events. He won the 2003 Sullivan Award as America's top amateur athlete, the first swimmer to win it since Janet Evans in 1989, and was named Swimmer of the Meet at the 2003 World Championships after winning six medals (four gold) and becoming the first person ever to break five world records in a single meet. He won his first Olympic gold on August 14, 2004 with a new world record, and edged Ian Crocker by 0.04 seconds in the 100m butterfly final on August 20, 2004. He then won 6 medals (5 gold, 1 silver) at the 2005 World Championships and 7 gold at the 2007 World Championships, breaking 5 world records. By August 2008 he held 32 world records, close to Mark Spitz's 33, and his estimated earnings through endorsements stood at a whopping $5 million annually.

Feats at the 2008 Summer Olympics (Beijing)

• August 10 — gold and world record, 400m individual medley (4:03.84)
• August 11 — gold and world record, 4x100m freestyle relay (3:08.24)
• August 12 — gold and world record, 200m freestyle (1:42.96)
• August 13 — gold and world record, 200m butterfly (1:52.03), plus gold and world record in the 4x200m freestyle relay (6:58.56)
• August 15 — gold and world record, 200m individual medley (1:54.23)
• August 16 — gold and Olympic record, 100m butterfly (50.58)
• August 17 — gold and world record, 4x100m medley relay (3:29.34)

What Makes Michael Phelps Unique

Phelps' extraordinary swimming is partly due to his unusual physique. He stands 6 feet 4 inches and weighs around 195 pounds, with a wingspan of nearly 80 inches (arms spanning some 6 feet 7 inches) that gives him an added advantage in the water. His relatively short legs enhance his speed, and his size-14 feet act like giant flippers to propel him faster. He is also double-jointed in his elbows, knees and ankles, allowing him to reach positions few other swimmers can. Above all, he has developed the attitude to raise his performance at the peak of pressure — his ability to relax, focus and block out pain all at once is unique in his sport, and he is often said to simply have "the feel of water."

Away from the pool, the young swimmer loves rap music — his favorite artist is Eminem, and he gets fired up by DMX's "Party Up" — enjoys video games (NHL HITZ a particular favorite) and comedy films, being a huge fan of the late Chris Farley and movies like "Tommy Boy" and "Austin Powers." He is a national inspiration for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, a voluntary board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Harford County, Maryland, and of Pathfinders for Autism. Undoubtedly the world's best all-rounder in swimming, this tall, young man has found a place in the hearts of many, and with his winning streak he has left his fans asking for more.