WORLD-CLASS CHAMPION SWIMMER
∗ Born June 30, 1985 in Baltimore; mother was a middle school principal, father was a Maryland state trooper; diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) but was most able to focus while swimming
∗ Began swimming at age 7; at 10, held national record in his age group for the 100-meter butterfly; still holds 12 age group records; began training at age 11 under coach Bob Bowman at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, a relationship that continues to this day
∗ Made his Olympic debut at age 15 in the 2000 Games in Sydney – the youngest U.S. Olympian in 68 years – but did not win a medal
∗ Won eight medals at the 2004 Athens Olympics, eight at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, six in the 2012 London Olympics, and six at the 2016 Rio Olympics
∗ Established the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008 to promote swimming and healthy lifestyle; foundation developed the “im” (a water-safety, wellness, and goal-setting program) for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2010 and Special Olympics International athletes in 2011
∗ Retired after 2012 Olympics; suffered from depression and other mental health issues
∗ Decided to make a comeback in 2014, starting at the Arena Grand Prix competition in Mesa
∗ Charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) in Baltimore, his second offense; banned from U.S. swimming competition for six months and dropped from 2015 World Aquatics Championship
∗ Moved to Paradise Valley in 2015 to continue training with longtime coach Bob Bowman, head swim coach at Arizona State University; took a volunteer position as assistant swim coach at ASU
∗ Trained at ASU for the 2016 Olympics; named captain of the U.S. Olympic swim teams and carried the flag for the U.S. team during the opening ceremony
∗ Retired again, at age 31, after the 2016 Olympics as the most decorated Olympian ever, winning 28 medals (23 gold, three silver, two bronze); holds Olympic records for most gold medals, most golds in individual events (13) and most golds in a single Olympics (eight in 2008); holds 39 world records (29 individual, 10 relay)
∗ Won 83 medals total (66 gold, 14 silver, three bronze) in major international competition, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships and the Pan Pacific Championships
∗ Named Associated Press Athlete of the Year in 2008 and 2012; earned seven awards as World Swimmer of the Year, nine as American Swimmer of the Year; won Sportsman of the Year award from Sports Illustrated in 2008 and FINA (International Swimming Federation) Swimmer of the Year in 2012
∗ Inspired the naming of Michael Phelps Way, a street in Baltimore
∗ Authored two books, Beneath the Surface: My Story (2008) and No Limits: The Will to Succeed (2009)
∗ Appointed in 2017 to the board of Medibio, a technology company that uses physiologic data to help identify and treat mental health conditions
∗ Served as honorary chairperson of National Mental Health Awareness Day in 2017 and recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for his advocacy for mental health
∗ Serves as an ambassador for the Child Mind Institute’s #MyYoungerSelf social media campaign to help end stigmas associated with mental health and learning disorders
∗ Widely considered the greatest competitive swimmer of all time
∗ Lives in Paradise Valley with his wife and children; continues to volunteer as assistant swim coach at ASU
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