Presidential Medal Of Freedom Sparks Michael Phelps vs Simone Biles Debate

[{ "selector": ".crxzp-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".zkmtx-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

On Thursday, Simone Biles, along with USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and 15 others, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Although her achievements in gymnastics made her a prime candidate, many think perhaps Michael Phelps was more deserving of the honor.

The reason behind Biles's selection

Simone Biles furthered the conversation around mental health in sports and advocated for children in foster care and victims of sexual assault. Some Michael Phelps fans, however, are not pleased with that explanation.

Michael Phelps’ achievements

No one in the world can beat Michael Phelps’ record in medal tallies. The swimmer has 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them gold, won across 4 Olympic Games. Phelps gave a masterclass in what it means to dominate a sport.

Phelps does not shy away from sharing his story so that others can learn from his struggles

Heading 2

“Hopefully, I can save a life. I can help somebody else because I know that the feelings that I have, I had, what I go through every single day, every single week, every single month. I know I’m not alone and I understand that for me it’s OK to not be OK,”

Fans enraged that Phelps didn’t win the award

Seeing all that Michael Phelps has accomplished, fans believe he should have been a shoo-in for the Presidential Medal of Freedom candidate list.

[{ "selector": ".qoguz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".jgeqa-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateY(calc(600px - 534px))", "opacity": 1}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateY(0)", "opacity": 1} ] }, { "selector": ".cdjxs-a", "duration": "1000ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": 1} ] }]

Presidential Medal Of Freedom Sparks Michael Phelps vs Simone Biles Debate

On Thursday, Simone Biles, along with USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and 15 others, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Although her achievements in gymnastics made her a prime candidate, many think perhaps Michael Phelps was more deserving of the honor.

The reason behind Biles's selection

Simone Biles furthered the conversation around mental health in sports and advocated for children in foster care and victims of sexual assault. Some Michael Phelps fans, however, are not pleased with that explanation.

Michael Phelps’ achievements

Phelps does not shy away from sharing his story so that others can learn from his struggles

Heading 2

Read More

WATCH: Lewis Hamilton’s Trainer Angela Cullen Reacts Joyously to Quirky Fan Sign, Achieving What She Already Has

“Jenner Team Sweeps the Kardashian Team”: Fans Go Gaga as James Harden, Devin Booker and Other NBA Stars Are Matched Up on Twitter Over a Bizzare Similarity

Hulk Hogan Received a 5-Figure Pay for Rocky III Before Making $10 Million a Year in WWE