“Trying to Get My Family Home Safe”- Michael Phelps Once Shut Down a Reporter Trying to Invade His Personal Space at the Airport

Published 06/12/2022, 10:15 AM EDT

When you’re considered to be one of the greatest athletes to have ever lived, it’s normal to be mobbed by reporters everywhere. Of course, Michael Phelps knows he’s always a hot topic for the press.

But it isn’t always a pleasant experience to have a camera shoved in your face at every turn. Once, Phelps had to shut down reporters hawking him, in an awkward moment at the airport.

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Michael Phelps got annoyed by the press

It was after his last run at the Rio Olympics, right after Phelps returned to home soil with six more Olympic medals added to his tally. When he reached the airport, 3TV’s ‘Good Morning Arizona’ reporters ambushed him, hoping to get a comment from the superstar.

Phelps wasn’t in the mood to entertain them. His then-fiancee, Nicole Johnson Phelps, and their son, Boomer, were with him at the time. But the reporters were determined to get a comment and their constant pestering made Phelps snap. He didn’t quite appreciate the cameras at that moment.

‘I’m not answering any questions, guys,’ the 31-year-old swimmer said. ‘If you can give me that space, while I try to get my family home and safe, I would appreciate it. If you guys want to do an interview, you can contact my agents.’

Needless to say, it was a bit of an awkward moment at the Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. Perhaps sensing that he added, ‘I appreciate you guys coming, but I’m trying to get my family home safe, and that’s what matters most.’

It was his last competition after all

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The legend had already decided to retire after the London Olympics in 2012. He had arrived in London with 14 Olympic gold medals and left with 18 and a record 22 overall tally count. At that point, he was already worthy of the title of ‘Greatest Olympian of All Time’.

But just a year after announcing his retirement, Phelps’ name reappeared in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s athlete test history database in November 2013. Phelps was ready for another go at the Olympic pool to top his achievements. And top himself he did. He won five more gold medals along with a silver.

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This time, though, his retirement stuck. After making Olympic history and winning about 27 World Championships titles, Phelps left the pool. He may be used to the media attention, but it doesn’t mean it is always welcome.

DIVE DEEPER: Michael Phelps’ GOAT Skills Were Threatened by Kim Kardashian’s Ex-Husband and NBA Star More Than Once

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Written by:

Mansi Jain is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. She has a Bachelor's degree in Multimedia and Mass Communication from the University of Delhi and has also previously interned for HT Media. She is always one mention of Yuzuru Hanyu away from delivering an hour-long speech about the athlete's legacy.

Edited by:

Manaal Siddiqui

“Trying to Get My Family Home Safe”- Michael Phelps Once Shut Down a Reporter Trying to Invade His Personal Space at the Airport

Michael Phelps got annoyed by the press

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It was his last competition after all