Michael Phelps, the swimming icon has represented his country in five Olympic games. In these five events, the Baltimore Bullet managed to secure the highest number of gold medals (23). However, it was in his third Olympics, in Beijing 2008, that the swimmer etched his name in history forever. Phelps participated with top-tier athletes from all around the world and also broke a 36-year-old record.

Now, 15 years after dominating the Beijing waters, the athlete posted an adorable throwback from the event on the anniversary of one of his wins at the games. The picture has made waves on social media as fans reminisce about the Olympics in which Phelps forever became an icon in the swimming world.

Michael Phelps posts an adorable throwback picture

Michael Phelps posted a throwback picture from his stunning win at the 2008 Olympics. On August 9,  the swimmer celebrated the anniversary of his win by posting a picture alongside his favorite rival Ryan Lochte with the caption, “Happy 15th anniversary, boys!” The athlete had posted the photo taken in Beijing National Aquatics Center, China, holding his gold alongside Hungarian Swimmer Laszlo Cseh, who grabbed silver, and US Swimming Prodigy Ryan Lochte, who went for the third position on the podium.

In the record-breaking race, held from August 9–10, Phelps stormed through the Beijing waters to defend his title in the 400-meter individual medley. The swimmer who grabbed his first Olympic gold of the event at this race also broke his previous Olympic trials record by 1 second. And Despite the tough competition from Lochte and Cseh, the GOAT of the swimming led the event by touching the wall in just 4:03.84.

While the Hungarian swimmer earned his first Olympic silver with a time of 4:06.16, and Ryan Cseh had to settle for bronze by clocking in at 4:08.09. The 2008 Beijing Olympics was a truly record-breaking event for the swimmer. Apart from this win, the athlete also managed to break a 36-year-old record in the event.

Swimming GOAT bested a 36-year-old record

In the 2008 Olympics, Phelps secured eight golds and broke a 36-year-old record. On August 17, 23-year-old Phelps made heads turn by grabbing his 8th Olympic gold in the 100-meter butterfly and surpassing the highest number of gold medals secured in an Olympic event by Mark Spitz in the Munich games in 1972. While talking about his record achievement, the Flying Fish stated, “Records are always meant to be broken. No matter what they are, anybody can do anything.”

Also read:7 Years After Michael Phelps’ Historic Rio Olympics Win, Swimming World Witnesses a Similar Marvel at World Championships 2023

Till now, the athlete stills hold the title highest number of gold medals secured in an Olympic event, and this throwback picture brought the feeling of seeing Phelps reach the pinnacle back to the hearts of swimming enthusiasts. Hopefully, the icon will post more of these throwback pictures of his achievements.

Watch this story: From Simone Biles To Michael Phelps, US OlympiaWho Paid Hefty Tax on their gold medals