“Change This or I’m Never Swimming..”- Michael Phelps Once Opened Up on the Struggles He Faced With His Coach Bob Bowman
Follow Us
The iconic duo of Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman created a special bond in swimming. Phelps is a champion swimmer who won 28 Olympic medals while creating numerous world records. Bowman coached him ever since he was young. Helping him to grow and realize his potential, he prepared Phelps both mentally and physically. However, they had a shaky start together.
After he turned 18, Phelps had problems with his coach and had intense conversations with Bowman. In a past interview, he spoke about the troubles he had and kept boundaries if Phelps was to continue with Bowman. Thus, it was not an easy start.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Michael Phelps’ tussles with Bowman
The legendary swimmer mentioned how they grew into their relationship after many arguments. Despite all the arguments, they complimented each other and settled aside their differences as Bowman created a machine. Being a father figure to Phelps at a very young age, he molded the champion swimmer into the greatest of all time. But, Phelps talked about the problems they had in the beginning.
“When I was 18 years old, we had some struggles because he still saw me as the 11-year-old kid, that he once did. So I was like ‘Look, this isn’t gonna fly either. We’re gonna have to change this or I’m never swimming, for you again,” said Phelps.
Trending
‘Fu*in Clowns’: Martin Truex Jr Urges Joe Gibbs to ‘Find a New Fu*in Driver’ in Fiery COTA Rant
March 27, 2024 06:09 PM EDT
After Deion Sanders Jr.’s Shiny $79K Purchase, Shedeur & Shilo Follow Their Brother’s Footsteps to Flaunt New Beast
March 26, 2024 01:13 PM EDT
What Does Danielle Collins’ Boyfriend Do? Everything to Know about Their Lowkey Relationship
February 15, 2024 11:39 AM EST
Brock Lesnar Seemingly Teased in Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson & Cody Rhodes RAW Segment Amid WrestleMania XL Return Rumors
March 28, 2024 06:51 AM EDT
“Beast Is Coming”: Brock Lesnar WrestleMania XL Return Expected Online After Rumored Reference During Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson & Cody Rhodes Fight
March 28, 2024 07:30 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Swimming stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
From all those differences, the duo talked it out and started creating ripples in the swimming pool. Phelps also added how they had ‘head-butting moments,’ at times.
“Said I’d Never Win”- Michael Phelps Savagely Credits Rivals’ Cheeky Dig for His Record Breaking Eight Medals at Beijing Olympics
“We had a lot of those kinds of head-butting moments, I guess you called them and we just grew together. We wanted to do absolutely everything we could to be the best that we possibly could.”
Aqua gladiator dominates
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
From keeping him grounded to training him to face all the possible adversities, Bowman helped him to become a swimming great. After all their problems, they learned to understand each other better, which contributed to several incredible records. He won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics; arguably the greatest Olympic achievement by an athlete.
WATCH THIS STORY- US Olympic Star Nathan Chen’s Produces An Electric Performance On Elton John During Stars On Ice Tour
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
It is a heart-warming moment for both Phelps and Bowman to work out the way they did. Now a grandfather to his kids, Phelps and Bowman’s relationship is one for the ages. It has shades of Tim Duncan-Gregg Popovich at their peak, or maybe better than that.
Edited by:
Deepakshi Chaudhary