Michael Phelps facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Michael Phelps

Phelps at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Nickname(s)	"The Baltimore Bullet" "Flying Fish"
Born	(1985-06-30) June 30, 1985 (age 40) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight	194 lb
Spouse(s)	Nicole Johnson ​ (m. 2016)​
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Butterfly, individual medley, freestyle, backstroke
Club	North Baltimore Aquatic Club
Coach	Bob Bowman
Medal record Men's swimming Representing the  United States Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 23 3 2 World Championships (LC) 26 6 1 World Championships (SC) 1 0 0 Pan Pacific Championships 16 5 0 By race Event 1st 2nd 3rd 100 m butterfly 8 3 0 200 m butterfly 10 2 0 200 m medley 9 2 0 400 m medley 6 0 0 200 m freestyle 4 2 1 200 m backstroke 0 1 0 4×100 m freestyle 7 2 2 4×200 m freestyle 11 2 0 4×100 m medley 11 0 0 Olympic Games Gold 2004 Athens 100 m butterfly Gold 2004 Athens 200 m butterfly Gold 2004 Athens 200 m medley Gold 2004 Athens 400 m medley Gold 2004 Athens 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2004 Athens 4×100 m medley Gold 2008 Beijing 200 m freestyle Gold 2008 Beijing 100 m butterfly Gold 2008 Beijing 200 m butterfly Gold 2008 Beijing 200 m medley Gold 2008 Beijing 400 m medley Gold 2008 Beijing 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2008 Beijing 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2008 Beijing 4×100 m medley Gold 2012 London 100 m butterfly Gold 2012 London 200 m medley Gold 2012 London 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2012 London 4×100 m medley Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 200 m butterfly Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 200 m medley Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×100 m medley Silver 2012 London 200 m butterfly Silver 2012 London 4×100 m freestyle Silver 2016 Rio de Janeiro 100 m butterfly Bronze 2004 Athens 200 m freestyle Bronze 2004 Athens 4×100 m freestyle World Championships (LC) Gold 2001 Fukuoka 200 m butterfly Gold 2003 Barcelona 200 m butterfly Gold 2003 Barcelona 200 m medley Gold 2003 Barcelona 400 m medley Gold 2003 Barcelona 4×100 m medley Gold 2005 Montreal 200 m freestyle Gold 2005 Montreal 200 m medley Gold 2005 Montreal 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2005 Montreal 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2005 Montreal 4×100 m medley Gold 2007 Melbourne 200 m freestyle Gold 2007 Melbourne 100 m butterfly Gold 2007 Melbourne 200 m butterfly Gold 2007 Melbourne 200 m medley Gold 2007 Melbourne 400 m medley Gold 2007 Melbourne 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2007 Melbourne 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2009 Rome 100 m butterfly Gold 2009 Rome 200 m butterfly Gold 2009 Rome 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2009 Rome 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2009 Rome 4×100 m medley Gold 2011 Shanghai 100 m butterfly Gold 2011 Shanghai 200 m butterfly Gold 2011 Shanghai 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2011 Shanghai 4×100 m medley Silver 2003 Barcelona 100 m butterfly Silver 2003 Barcelona 4×200 m freestyle Silver 2005 Montreal 100 m butterfly Silver 2009 Rome 200 m freestyle Silver 2011 Shanghai 200 m freestyle Silver 2011 Shanghai 200 m medley Bronze 2011 Shanghai 4×100 m freestyle World Championships (SC) Gold 2004 Indianapolis 200 m freestyle Pan Pacific Championships Gold 2002 Yokohama 200 m medley Gold 2002 Yokohama 400 m medley Gold 2002 Yokohama 4×100 m medley Gold 2006 Victoria 200 m butterfly Gold 2006 Victoria 200 m medley Gold 2006 Victoria 400 m medley Gold 2006 Victoria 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2006 Victoria 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2010 Irvine 100 m butterfly Gold 2010 Irvine 200 m butterfly Gold 2010 Irvine 4×100 m freestyle Gold 2010 Irvine 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2010 Irvine 4×100 m medley Gold 2014 Gold Coast 100 m butterfly Gold 2014 Gold Coast 4×200 m freestyle Gold 2014 Gold Coast 4×100 m medley Silver 2002 Yokohama 200 m butterfly Silver 2002 Yokohama 4×200 m freestyle Silver 2006 Victoria 200 m backstroke Silver 2014 Gold Coast 200 m medley Silver 2014 Gold Coast 4×100 m freestyle

Michael Fred Phelps II (born June 30, 1985) is an American former competitive swimmer. He is known as the most successful and most decorated Olympian of all time. He has won a total of 28 Olympic medals. Phelps also holds the records for the most Olympic gold medals (23), the most individual Olympic gold medals (13), and the most individual Olympic medals (16).

At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Phelps won eight medals, including six gold. Four years later, at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, he won an amazing eight gold medals. This broke the record of seven gold medals at a single Olympics, previously held by fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz since 1972. Phelps continued his success at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, winning four gold and two silver medals. At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, he added five more gold medals and one silver. This made him the most successful athlete of the Games for the fourth Olympics in a row.

Phelps has held many world records in swimming. He has won 65 gold medals in major international competitions, including the Olympics and World Championships. His amazing performances have earned him the World Swimmer of the Year Award eight times. He also received the Sportsman of the Year award from Sports Illustrated magazine in 2008.

After the 2008 Olympics, Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation. This foundation helps grow the sport of swimming and encourages healthy lifestyles. Phelps briefly retired after the 2012 Olympics but returned to swimming in 2014. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, his fifth Olympics, he was chosen to be the flag bearer for the United States. He announced his second retirement on August 12, 2016. He is widely considered the greatest swimmer and one of the greatest athletes ever.

Early Life and Swimming Start

Michael Phelps was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in a neighborhood called Rodgers Forge. He is the youngest of three children. His mother was a middle school principal. His parents divorced when he was nine years old.

Phelps started swimming at age seven. He was influenced by his older sisters. Swimming also helped him use up his extra energy. He later said his mom just wanted him to learn to swim. But he and his sisters fell in love with the sport.

When Phelps was in sixth grade, he was diagnosed with ADHD. By age 10, he already held a national record for his age group. He trained at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club with coach Bob Bowman. Phelps still holds many age group records today.

Phelps's Swimming Journey

Training with Coach Bob Bowman

Phelps has trained with Bob Bowman since he was 11 years old. Bowman was a very disciplined coach. Phelps often said that training with Bowman was the smartest thing he ever did. He also said he would not swim for anyone else.

After the 2004 Olympics, Bowman became a head coach at the University of Michigan. Phelps joined him there to train. He also took classes but did not get a degree. Phelps even volunteered as an assistant coach at Michigan. Later, both Phelps and Bowman returned to Baltimore. When Bowman moved to Arizona State University in 2015, Phelps followed him to continue training.

First Olympics: Sydney 2000

Phelps improved very quickly in swimming. He qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics when he was just 15 years old. This made him the youngest male swimmer to join a U.S. Olympic team in 68 years. He did not win a medal in Sydney. However, he made it to the finals and finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly.

Becoming a World Champion: 2001-2003

At the 2001 World Championship Trials, Phelps broke the world record in the 200-meter butterfly. He was only 15 years and 9 months old. This made him the youngest male ever to set a swimming world record. At the World Championships in Japan, he broke his own record again. He became a world champion for the first time.

In 2002, at the Pan Pacific Championships, Phelps won three gold medals and two silver. He set a new American record in the 200-meter individual medley. He also broke the world record in the 400-meter individual medley. The U.S. 4×100-meter medley relay team, with Phelps, set a new world record.

Phelps in 2002

At the 2003 World Championships, Phelps won four gold medals and two silver. He also broke five world records. He became the first man to swim the 200-meter butterfly in under 1 minute, 54 seconds. He also set new world records in the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley events. In the 100-meter butterfly, he set a world record in the semi-finals. But in the final, Ian Crocker broke that record, and Phelps won silver.

Athens 2004: Olympic Gold

At the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials, Phelps qualified for six individual events. He broke his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley. He decided not to swim the 200-meter backstroke to focus on other races. He was also chosen for the 4×100-meter freestyle relay team.

In Athens, Phelps won his first Olympic gold medal in the 400-meter individual medley. He set a new world record. He then won a bronze medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. In the 200-meter freestyle, he finished third behind Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband. Phelps won gold in the 200-meter butterfly, setting an Olympic record. He also helped the U.S. win gold in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.

Phelps won gold in the 200-meter individual medley, setting another Olympic record. In the 100-meter butterfly, he narrowly beat Ian Crocker by 0.04 seconds. He chose not to swim in the 4×100-meter medley relay final. This allowed Crocker to swim and earn a gold medal. Phelps still received a gold medal because he swam in the preliminary heat. He finished the 2004 Olympics with six gold and two bronze medals. This was the second-best performance ever at a single Olympics.

World Championships 2005-2007

Victory lap of the 100 m butterfly during the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montréal. Phelps is far right.

At the 2005 World Championships, Phelps tried some new events. He won five gold medals and one silver. He set a new American record in the 200-meter freestyle. He also helped the U.S. win gold in several relays. In the 100-meter butterfly, he won silver, finishing behind Ian Crocker.

In 2006, at the Pan Pacific Championships, Phelps won five gold medals and one silver. He broke world records in the 200-meter butterfly and the 200-meter individual medley. He also helped the U.S. set a world record in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

At the 2007 World Aquatics Championships, Phelps won seven gold medals. He tied Mark Spitz's record for most golds at a global championship. He also broke five world records. He set new world records in the 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, and 400-meter individual medley. He also helped the U.S. set a world record in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay.

Beijing 2008: Making History

At the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, Phelps qualified for six individual events. He broke his own world records in the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter individual medley.

In Beijing, Phelps started by winning gold in the 400-meter individual medley. He broke his own world record by almost two seconds. He then won his second gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. The U.S. team set a new world record. His teammate Jason Lezak made an incredible comeback to win the race.

Phelps holds his gold medal on the podium on August 10, 2008. Pictured with Ryan Lochte and László Cseh.

Phelps won his third gold in the 200-meter freestyle, breaking his own world record. He became the fifth Olympian to win nine gold medals. The next day, he won his fourth gold in the 200-meter butterfly. He set a new world record despite his goggles filling with water. This was his tenth Olympic gold medal, making him the all-time leader. He also became the first swimmer to win three Olympic butterfly titles.

Less than an hour later, Phelps won his fifth gold in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. The American team broke the seven-minute mark for the first time. Two days later, he won his sixth gold in the 200-meter individual medley, setting another world record.

Seventh Gold Medal

Phelps (in black cap) starting the 4 x 100m relay at the Beijing Olympic Games, August 11, 2008

Before the 100-meter butterfly final, Serbian swimmer Milorad Čavić said it would be "good" if Phelps lost. Phelps used these words as motivation. He won his seventh gold medal by just 0.01 seconds over Čavić. This tied Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics. Phelps said, "Dream as big as you can dream, and anything is possible."

Breaking the All-Time Record

Michael Phelps celebrates with his teammates after winning his 8th gold medal.

On August 17, Phelps won his eighth gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay. This broke Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals from 1972. Phelps and his teammates set a new world record. Phelps swam the butterfly leg, helping the U.S. team come from behind to win. He said, "Records are always made to be broken no matter what they are."

World Championships 2009-2011

At the 2009 World Championships, Phelps won five gold medals and one silver. He broke his own world records in the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly events. In the 200-meter freestyle, he lost to Germany's Paul Biedermann. This was his first loss in four years. Phelps and his coach were concerned about Biedermann's full-body swimsuit.

Phelps (center) before the start of the 200-meter butterfly semi-final during 2009 FINA World Championships

At the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships, Phelps won five gold medals. He won the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly races. He also helped the U.S. win three relay golds.

In 2011, at the World Aquatics Championships, Phelps won four gold, two silver, and one bronze medal. He won his first gold in the 200-meter butterfly. This made him the first swimmer to win five gold medals in one event at the World Championships. He also won gold in the 100-meter butterfly and two relays.

London 2012: Final Olympics (First Retirement)

Phelps initially said he would not swim eight events again for the 2012 Summer Olympics. However, at the U.S. Olympic Trials, he qualified for the same eight events as in Beijing. He later decided to drop the 200-meter freestyle. This was his fourth Olympic team, a record for American male swimmers.

In his 100m butterfly heat, Phelps (fourth from top) was 8th at the 50m split before winning his heat and qualifying for the semi-finals

In London, Phelps finished fourth in the 400-meter individual medley. This was the first time he did not win a medal in an Olympic event since 2000. The next day, he won a silver medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay.

On July 31, 2012, Phelps won a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly. He then won a gold medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. With these medals, he passed Larisa Latynina to become the all-time record holder for most Olympic medals won.

On August 2, Phelps won his 16th Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley. He became the first male swimmer to win the same event in three straight Olympics. He repeated this amazing feat the next day, winning gold in the 100-meter butterfly.

Phelps's final event was the 4×100-meter medley relay. He won his 18th career gold medal and his 22nd overall Olympic medal. He finished the 2012 Olympics as the most successful swimmer for the third Olympics in a row. After the 2012 Olympics, Phelps announced his retirement from swimming.

2014 Comeback and Rio 2016

In April 2014, Phelps announced he would return to swimming. He was motivated by the U.S. team's relay performance. He wanted to swim for himself and enjoy the sport. He changed his training and diet. By 2016, he felt physically stronger.

At the 2015 U.S. National Championships, Phelps won gold in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter individual medley. He had the fastest times in the world for these events that year.

Rio de Janeiro 2016

At the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, Phelps qualified for his fifth Olympics. This made him the first American male swimmer to do so. He was chosen to be the flag bearer for the United States at the opening ceremony. He was also a team captain.

Phelps carrying the flag on behalf of athletes from the United States during the parade of nation within the 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony

On August 7, he won his first gold medal of the 2016 Games in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. His powerful swim helped the U.S. team win.

On August 9, Phelps won gold in the 200-meter butterfly. He became the first swimmer to make five finals in the same event. Winning this title back was a main goal for his comeback. At 31, he became the oldest male Olympic champion in swimming history.

Phelps with Nathan Adrian, Ryan Held and Caeleb Dressel, after winning the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay

Also on August 9, Phelps won his 21st gold medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. This was his and Ryan Lochte's fourth straight gold in this event, an all-time record in swimming.

On August 11, Phelps won his 22nd gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley. This was his fourth straight gold in this event. He became the first swimmer to win the same individual event four times. He also broke an ancient Olympic record for most individual titles.

In the 100-meter butterfly, Phelps won a joint silver medal. He was defeated by Singaporean Joseph Schooling.

On August 13, Phelps ended his career with another gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay. This was his 23rd Olympic gold medal and 28th overall. Phelps retired from competitive swimming again after the Rio Olympics. His performance at 31 years old was very special, as it's past the typical peak for male swimmers.

Michael Phelps's World Records

Phelps has set 39 world records (29 individual, 10 relay). This is more than any other swimmer recognized by FINA. He broke Mark Spitz's previous record of 33 world records.

Long Course (50-meter Pool) Records

Phelps has set many world records in the 50-meter pool. Here are some of his notable records:

• 200-meter butterfly: He first broke this record in 2001 and improved it several times. His fastest time was 1:51.51 in 2009.
• 400-meter individual medley: He broke this record multiple times, starting in 2002. His best time was 4:03.84 in 2008.
• 200-meter individual medley: He set this record in 2003 and improved it several times. His best was 1:54.23 in 2008.
• 100-meter butterfly: He broke this record in 2003 and again in 2009 with a time of 49.82 seconds.
• 200-meter freestyle: He set a world record of 1:42.96 in 2008.
• Relays: He was part of teams that set world records in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay (3:08.24 in 2008), 4x200-meter freestyle relay (6:58.55 in 2009), and 4x100-meter medley relay (3:27.28 in 2009).

Guinness World Records

Michael Phelps holds 20 Guinness World Records. Most of these are for having the "most" of something, like:

• Most Olympic gold medals (23)
• Most medals won at the FINA Swimming World Championships
• Most Olympic gold medals in team swimming
• Most Olympic golds at one Games (8 in Beijing 2008)
• Most individual Olympic medals (16)
• Most world records set for swimming (male)

Personal Life

Phelps with his wife, Nicole Johnson

Bob Bowman, Phelps's coach, described him as very focused before a race. But after, he was a kind person who cared about others.

Phelps is married to Nicole Johnson, a former Miss California USA. They got married secretly on June 13, 2016. They have four sons together. The family lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Phelps volunteers as an assistant coach for the Arizona State Sun Devils swim team.

When he was a teenager, Phelps looked up to Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe. Thorpe once said it was unlikely Phelps would win eight gold medals in Beijing. Phelps used this as motivation. After Phelps won his eighth gold, Thorpe congratulated him. He said he was proud of how much Phelps had grown.

Phelps loves golf and has played in many tournaments. He even thought about becoming a professional golfer after swimming. He is also a big fan of the Baltimore Ravens football team.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Phelps with im program participants (left), Phelps Foundation's im logo (right).

After the 2008 Olympics, Phelps used his $1 million bonus from Speedo to create the Michael Phelps Foundation. This foundation works to make swimming more popular. It also encourages people to live healthier lives.

In 2010, the Michael Phelps Foundation started the "im" program. This program teaches children about being active and healthy. It focuses on swimming and helps kids set goals. The "im" program is offered through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Special Olympics International. The Foundation also has other programs.

Phelps said he hoped to work more with his Foundation after he retired from swimming in 2012. In 2017, he joined the board of Medibio. This company helps diagnose mental health conditions.

Honors and Awards

Phelps was on the USA Olympic team five times (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016). He holds records for most Olympic gold medals (23) and most individual gold medals (13). A street in his hometown of Baltimore was renamed "The Michael Phelps Way" in 2004. He has received many awards for his achievements, including:

• Swimming World World Swimmer of the Year Award: 8 times
• Swimming World American Swimmer of the Year Award: 11 times
• Fédération internationale de natation Swimmer of the Year: 2012, 2016
• Golden Goggle Male Athlete of the Year: 7 times
• Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: 2008
• Associated Press Athlete of the Year: 2008, 2012
• Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: 2017

Images for kids

• 

  Phelps at the 2016 Summer Olympics

• 

  Phelps in 2002

• 

  Victory lap of the 100 m butterfly during the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montréal. Phelps is far right.

• 

  Phelps holds his gold medal on the podium on August 10, 2008. Pictured with Ryan Lochte and László Cseh.

• 

  Phelps (in black cap) starting the 4 x 100m relay at the Beijing Olympic Games, August 11, 2008

• 

  Michael Phelps celebrates with his teammates after winning his 8th gold medal.

• 

  Phelps (center) before the start of the 200-meter butterfly semi-final during 2009 FINA World Championships

• 

  In his 100m butterfly heat, Phelps (fourth from top) was 8th at the 50m split before winning his heat and qualifying for the semi-finals

• 

  Phelps carrying the flag on behalf of athletes from the United States during the parade of nation within the 2016 Summer Olympics opening ceremony

• 

  Phelps with Nathan Adrian, Ryan Held and Caeleb Dressel, after winning the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay

• 

  Phelps with his wife, Nicole Johnson

• 

  Phelps with im program participants

• 

  Phelps Foundation's im logo

• 

  Phelps and Maryland House Speaker Mike Busch in April 2009. Both houses of the Maryland General Assembly honored Phelps that day.

In Spanish: Michael Phelps para niños