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Michael Phelps headed to fifth Olympics
Add yet another feather to the cap of the most decorated Olympian ever.
As if 22-time medalist Michael Phelps needed anything else to cement his place in history, he is the first male U.S. swimmer to make five Olympic teams.
Phelps, who turns 31 Thursday, finished first in 1:54.84 in the 200-meter butterfly Wednesday in the U.S. Olympic trials, securing his spot for the Rio Games.
As the public address announcer announced Phelps’ time to the roaring crowd, Phelps held his hand up, a high-five representing five Games. “That means the most tonight,” Phelps said. “With everything that’s happened, being able to come back, that’s probably harder than any swim I’ve had in my life.”
Much has changed for Phelps — and U.S. swimming — over the last 16 years. He grew from a wiry 15-year-old into the sport’s most accomplished swimmer. He won an astonishing eight gold medals in Beijing in 2008. He now admits he hated training and the trials yet managed to win six medals (four gold) in London in 2012. He retired, then came back. He was arrested on drunkendriving charges, then entered rehab. He came out of it, as he describes it, a changed man — with his priorities in line and an enjoyment in the water he had missed.
He’s engaged to longtime girlfriend Nicole Johnson, and the two welcomed a baby boy, Boomer, two months ago.
The constant through it all? His name on the U.S. roster, his face the face of American swimming. He’ll be by far the most experienced swimmer on the men’s side in Rio. Midway through the trials, there appears to be a sea change, with youngsters displacing older swimmers in some of their signature events. Phelps’ presence could prove crucial beyond the medals he brings home.
“The staunch leadership he’s been demonstrating this last year or so, the maturity he’s shown, people are going to rally behind him,” said David Marsh, the U.S. women’s swimming team coach.