Michael Phelps

Biography

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history, a Baltimore kid with a wingspan like an albatross who turned swimming into must-watch television. His 28 Olympic medals include 23 golds - more than most nations have ever won. At Beijing in 2008, he won eight gold medals in eight events, breaking Mark Spitz's record and cementing his legend. Five Olympics spanning 16 years saw him battle depression, retire, un-retire, and keep winning. When he touched the wall for the final time in Rio, the sport lost its greatest champion. They don't make them like Phelps anymore; they never did.

Career Highlights

• 28 Olympic medals (all-time record)
• 23 Olympic golds (all-time record)
• 8 golds in one Olympics (2008)
• 39 world records
• 5 Olympics (2000-2016)

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