I always thought, it would be neat to make the Olympic team.
MICHAEL PHELPSI always thought, it would be neat to make the Olympic team.
MICHAEL PHELPSEven in high school, I’d tell my mom I was sick of swimming and wanted to try to play golf. She wasn’t too happy. She’d say, ‘Think about this.’ And I’d always end up getting back in the pool.
MICHAEL PHELPSFor so long, I looked at myself as literally a kid who was talented who would go up and down the pool. That’s it. Nothing else. Very few people knew who I really was.
MICHAEL PHELPSOnce I retire, I’m retiring. I’m done.
MICHAEL PHELPSIf I bring back only one gold people are going to say it’s a disappointment. But not too many of them own an Olympic gold medal so if I get one I’m going to be happy.
MICHAEL PHELPSI’ve been able to get an excitement back in the water.
MICHAEL PHELPSI eat pretty much whatever I want. I don’t have a strict diet. It’s all about cramming in as many calories into my system as I possibly can.
MICHAEL PHELPSMy goal is one Olympic gold medal. Not many people in this world can say, ‘I’m an Olympic gold medalist.’
MICHAEL PHELPSI live a pretty conservative life, so I probably really haven’t done anything crazy.
MICHAEL PHELPSI won’t predict anything historic. But nothing is impossible.
MICHAEL PHELPSI think to be – for me to be an American is – you know, it’s one of the greatest things in the world for – you know, for me just because I’ve been able to grow up with everything. The freedom. You know, in my eyes this is the greatest country in the world.
MICHAEL PHELPSThere are too many kids who are drowning for lack of water safety. That’s something I’d like to do. Teaching kids to live an active lifestyle.
MICHAEL PHELPSI try to separate my personal life from swimming.
MICHAEL PHELPSI listen to music before my competitions to get me pumped up. It helps me stay focused.
MICHAEL PHELPSI think everybody pees in the pool. It’s kind of a normal thing to do for swimmers.
MICHAEL PHELPSEvery sponsor I’ve had has been something that fit my lifestyle, fit my personality.
MICHAEL PHELPS