Every day after I wake up, I think, ‘Wait, this can’t be real; I’m still going to wake up.’
MICHAEL PHELPSEvery day after I wake up, I think, ‘Wait, this can’t be real; I’m still going to wake up.’
MICHAEL PHELPSI think everybody pees in the pool. It’s kind of a normal thing to do for swimmers.
MICHAEL PHELPSBeing compared to Ian Thorpe, that could be one of the greatest compliments you could ever get in swimming – being compared to him and Mark Spitz.
MICHAEL PHELPSOnce I retire, I’m retiring. I’m done.
MICHAEL PHELPSSwimming is normal for me. I’m relaxed. I’m comfortable, and I know my surroundings. It’s my home.
MICHAEL PHELPSI want to go to the World Cup. I want to go to the Masters. I want to go anywhere.
MICHAEL PHELPSI consider myself normal. I’ve spent 20 years in the pool. I consider that something that’s normal.
MICHAEL PHELPSMy mom put me and my sisters in the water to feel comfortable, to have water safety.
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 still remember the days, not wanting to see anybody, not wanting to talk to anybody, really not wanting to live. I was on an express elevator to the bottom floor, wherever that might be.
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 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 PHELPSIt doesn’t matter what else is going on. When you walk into your arena or your – whatever you excel at, you’re there to take care of the job that you have to do.
MICHAEL PHELPSAny Olympic sport is great to watch.
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’m so sick of the water.
MICHAEL PHELPS