Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer in the history of sports, is the epitome of perseverance. His consistent achievements made him a legend in the sport to an extent that Phelps and Olympic medals go hand in hand. It’s difficult to even fathom how he won 28 Olympic medals in four Olympic appearances since 2004.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Phelps entered the world of the Olympics with the least idea of what he had set out for. However, the swimming great is not all about medals and accolades. Considering this, it is interesting to learn about the regret that Phelps holds regarding his first Olympics experience.  

Michael Phelps made his debut at the 2000 Olympics, but something happened

At 15, Phelps made his Olympics debut. He was a young lad with braces on his bottom teeth. The teenager Phelps was already making heads turn with his swimming skills. “He doesn’t know what it means to go to an Olympics,” 1996 silver medallist Tom Malchow said. He also added that Phelps didn’t know how it was going to change his life. “He’s going to find out soon.” He concluded.

Phelps recalled a memory of missing a free Razor scooter all the athletes received because his mother insisted on going home early. “Debs made me come home early from the Olympics,” he said.

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In his book, “Beneath the Surface,” he wrote that he played James Bond and Tony Hawk video games during free time with his 17-year-old roommate, Aaron from California. Not knowing the electricity conversion between the U.S. and Australia, Phelps fried one of the games. 

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The young swimmer was greatly appreciated although he didn’t make it to the top three. He finished in fifth place behind the winner Tom Malchow. “Boy, this guy’s going to be great one day,” “I just don’t think I’ve ever seen such poise in a 15-year-old boy,” analysts commented on the broadcast.  

A sneak-peek into Phelps’ childhood

Phelps was born in 1985 in Baltimore. His dad, Fred was an athlete, and his mom, Deborah was an administrator at an academy. His parents Fred and Deborah separated early in his childhood. Hence, Michael and his older sisters moved in with their mother following the separation. “Debs” as she is fondly called has been instrumental in his professional success. 

He began swimming when he was seven years old primarily because his older sisters Whitney and Hilary were swimming. He had always disliked having his face wet as a child. Debs came up with a clever plan to help him feel more at ease in the water. “We flipped him over and taught him the backstroke.” 

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Despite struggles, stringent schedules, and sacrifices Phelps made it to the top, again and again, which is a testimony of the fact that discipline and hard work are the secrets to his consistent success. He retired in 2016 after a resounding victory of 5 gold medals and 1 silver medal in the Rio Olympics.