It has long been a tradition for the President and the First Lady of the U.S. to invite the Olympic teams to the White House. This tradition has given us some iconic photographs. Like when President William J. Clinton, First Lady Hillary, and daughter Chelsea met with six members of the “Magnificent Seven” at the White House following the 1996 games. Of course, Michael Phelps has made the trip more than once.

In 2008 in Beijing, former President George H. W. Bush and his son President George W. Bush congratulated U.S. Olympians Larsen Jensen and Michael Phelps after their swimming events. After the Rio Olympics, Phelps made his final trip with the Olympic team to meet then-President Barack Obama.

Barack Obama references the famous Phelps meme

President Barack Obama welcomed the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House in September 2016 to celebrate their record-breaking run in Rio. Though the reception was originally planned outdoors, the rainy weather had hundreds of athletes squeezed into the East Room of the White House.

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Obama made several hilarious quips about the champions, even suggesting a floor routine duet with gymnastics G.O.A.T. Simone Biles, but he can’t really touch his toes. He highlighted Phelps’ legendary record of the most number of individual Olympic medals in 2000 years. He claimed, “If they gotta go back to the Greeks, that’s an impressive record.”

But of course, on the topic of Phelps, Obama just had to bring up his viral photo of scowling at his Olympic rival. Obama said he could go on celebrating the athletes’ achievements but was worried about ticking off the crowd. “If I keep on going longer, I’m gonna get, like, Phelps-face from you guys,” he said, referencing the meme.

Swimming Legend Michael Phelps Once Broke a 2168-year-old Record

Michael Phelps’ Olympic legacy

There’s no real argument about whether Phelps is the greatest athlete to ever put on a pair of swim goggles. The talk of the records, the incredible swims, or the wall-to-wall coverage will perhaps never cease. But it’s not just about the medals and the wingspan.

His mind-blowing performances over four different Olympics: Athens, Beijing, London, and Rio, have inspired generations of athletes and swimmers. There will never be another Phelps. With his 28 Olympic medals, 23 of them gold, the champion put the sport on the map.

Phelps was a superstar, and his influence hasn’t diminished even six years after his retirement. His openness about his struggles with depression gave a spotlight to the stigma that surrounds mental health among athletes.

“Was Not Rocket Science”- 28 Time Olympic Medalist Michael Phelps Made an Interesting Statement on His Legendary Career