12 Facts About Michael Phelps (That Aren't Just Statistics) | The Odyssey Online
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12 Facts About Michael Phelps (That Aren't Just Statistics)

He's come a long way from being too scared to put his head underwater.

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12 Facts About Michael Phelps (That Aren't Just Statistics)

Michael Phelps, arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time, may have swam his very last race at the Rio Olympic Games this past Saturday night. So, to honor his incredible swimming career and the long-lasting impact he has made in his sport, here’s a compilation of facts you might not know about the iconic Michael Phelps:

1. He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) as a child.

Phelps was introduced to swimming when he was seven years old as “an outlet for his energy.”

2. He was scared of putting his head underwater when he first started swimming.

The backstroke was the first stroke he mastered because he was able to keep his head above water.

3. His calorie intake isn’t as crazy as you think.

Since the 2012 Beijing Olympics, Phelps has significantly cut back on his 12,000 calorie per day intake.

4. His ankles apparently bend 15 degrees more than the average ankle.

No wonder his size 14 feet are called “virtual flippers.”

5. Speaking of his insane physicality, his lung capacity is reportedly 12 liters.

That’s almost double the capacity of the average man’s.

6. He is the most decorated Olympian of all time.

Did you really think his 28 medals and 39 world records wouldn't be mentioned at least once?

7. He has won more Summer Olympic medals than 160 countries.

And if Phelps were his own country, he’d rank 16th in total medals won in Rio this summer.

8. His nicknames include Gomer, Iron Mike, The Baltimore Bullet, The Flying Fish and Deep Sea Frog.

9. His hometown of Baltimore named a street in his honor after the 2004 Olympics, called Michael Phelps Way.

10. His net worth is an estimated $55 million, easily surpassing that of Hillary Clinton and Steph Curry.

11. His fiance, Nicole Johnson, is the former Miss California. With their chubby, earmuff-wearing son named Boomer, could this family get any more perfect?

12. Boomer actually has his own Instagram account. The account has over 450k followers--I guess being Phelps’ adorable son has its perks.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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