I got the stamina. I can close.
MICHAEL PHELPSI got the stamina. I can close.
MICHAEL PHELPSI want to be able to look back and say, ‘I’ve done everything I can, and I was successful.’ I don’t want to look back and say I should have done this or that. I’d like to change things for the younger generation of swimmers coming along.
MICHAEL PHELPSI’ve never lifted a single weight in my life.
MICHAEL PHELPSI listen to music before my competitions to get me pumped up. It helps me stay focused.
MICHAEL PHELPSI used to always go to church on holidays, but I don’t go much any more.
MICHAEL PHELPSThere were times I wouldn’t come to practice, because it didn’t excite me. It wasn’t interesting. I was kind of going through the motions.
MICHAEL PHELPSI believe in God; I’m not saying I’m highly religious.
MICHAEL PHELPSThis is my 20th year in the sport. I’ve known swimming and that’s it. I don’t want to swim past age 30; if I continue after this Olympics, and come back in 2016, I’ll be 31. I’m looking forward to being able to see the other side of the fence.
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 PHELPSIf I didn’t swim my best, I’d think about it at school, at dinner, with my friends. It would drive me crazy.
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 PHELPSGrowing up in high school, I wasn’t hanging out with friends every day or on the weekends. Doing normal high school kid things was something I was willing to give up.
MICHAEL PHELPSSwimming is normal for me. I’m relaxed. I’m comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It’s my home.
MICHAEL PHELPSI consider myself normal. I’ve spent 20 years in the pool. I consider that something that’s normal.
MICHAEL PHELPSI wouldn’t say anything is impossible. I think that everything is possible as long as you put your mind to it and put the work and time into it.
MICHAEL PHELPSI can’t remember the last day I didn’t train.
MICHAEL PHELPS