Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer of all time. He never stopped once he started his winning form. From the 2004 Athens Olympics to the 2016 Rio Olympics, he won medals in every edition. However, in his birth town, Baltimore, he was a proclaimed champion even before that.

In 2000, Phelps returned from his first Olympic experience. Even though he didn’t clinch a medal that year, he was a champion for his whole town. They loved him and even exhibited endearment towards the debutant Olympian.

A welcome surprise for the champion

Michael returned early from the 2000 Olympics without staying there for the closing ceremony. Although he wasn’t happy with his early comeback, he felt otherwise once they welcomed him back with one celebration after another. On the return, Michael was ready to go back to school and decided to reach early on his first day back there.

But his sister, Hilary Phelps, had other plans. Firstly, she fumbled with the car keys, next she forgot something at home and went back. The limit crossed when she suddenly had a coffee craving. Michael did not understand why all this happened then, but soon he realized the reasoning.

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“Oh My God! I Touched Him”: Michael Phelps Was Already a Celebrity in School Even Before He Won His First Olympic Gold

Phelps wrote, “It was 8:25 and she still needed to waste 20 minutes to make sure I didn’t arrive before the 8:45 surprise party the school had planned.” He added, “As we drove down Cedar Avenue, I could see the banners, television cameras and 1,200 students lining the street. I shot Hilary a look. You sneak.”

Michael Phelps became a star after his first Olympic appearance

Michael Phelps ended fifth in the finals in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. However, that didn’t affect the popularity he gained in his school. He had become a celebrity to his schoolmates after that year. Molly Baldwin, who claimed to be the girl dating Michael back then, disclosed, “girls were swarming all around him.” 

Moreover, she also said that she remembers one fellow student exclaiming, “Oh my God! I touched him!” However, she added, Michael remained “true to his character,” but also wasn’t as shy as he used to be.

Watch this story: Michael Phelps Long Torso Leaves Fans Shocked as His Image With 4′11″Ft Tall Gymnasts Resurfaces

That was an overwhelming moment for a young boy who had just come back from the biggest sporting event in the world. The school’s principal, teachers, and 1200 students lined up to welcome you and prepare for such a grand gesture.

Students also asked for autographs and he gave them on their arms. This was the encouragement any kid would have appreciated at that age. And who knows, this might be the inspiration that led Phelps to his first Olympic medal in 2004.