It’s no surprise that Michael Phelps is used to winning. Head and shoulders above his competition, coming in first became a habit for the swimming legend. But on the odd occasion that he loses, he is a poster child of sportsmanship, barring a couple of incidents.

But just like losing doesn’t come naturally to the swimming GOAT, neither did maintaining his composure at a loss. His mother, Debbie Phelps, relayed an incident where she was embarrassed by his behavior after coming in second at a meet.

Michael Phelps lost his cool at only getting silver

Appearing on the Raising Fame podcast, Michael Phelps’ mother detailed an incident that caused her much embarrassment. Phelps was participating in the 50m breaststroke at a swim meet but failed to get the gold medal.

“He was second on the wall trying to come in first. He looked at the guy beside him, who was ahead of him, and touched in second.” Debbie Phelps narrated, “He ripped his cap and his goggles off his head and face and threw them on the pool deck.” The young swimmer was already used to coming in first, but he is only human. 

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Unable to stand atop the podium was frustrating for him. For his mother, however, the incident wasn’t entirely pleasant. “I’m sitting in the stands with all the parents, watching the whole thing unfold. He left the pool deck and went into the locker room. Did not go see coach Bowman,” she continued.

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After the meet ended, momma Phelps began a conversation with her son about his behavior. “I said, ‘Michael, what was that 50 breast?’” He said, ‘I was mad.’ I said, ‘You were mad? I was embarrassed.” Her son’s competitiveness was good for his career, but she wanted him to learn good sportsmanship.

Debbie Phelps raised her son to be courteous

Michael Phelps’ mother knew that he would become a legendary swimmer one day. And he needed to be prepared for the world stage. The media doesn’t easily forgive top athletes for being less than perfect. And Phelps’ temper could be harmful to him in more than one way.

So, she helped him understand good sportsmanship with three simple tasks. “Let’s think of other things you could have done to release your frustration, one. Let’s think of what we’re not gonna do the next time you get second or third in a race, two,” she told him. “And I said, ‘Let’s think of how you’re going to conduct yourself as a young man and a competitive athlete that has a good sportsmanship.’”

Once Phelps answered all her questions satisfactorily, she was happy to see his behavior change. Sports isn’t all about winning, the respect between athletes and the spirit of sportsmanship is just as important.

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“That’s when you saw Michael after every race, extend his hand across to whoever was on his left or his right to be a good sport,” she concluded. Raising Phelps and his two sisters as a single mother wasn’t easy for Debbie, but she made sure they grew up with good values.