As an 11 year swimmer in 2008, Michael Phelps was a god.
I learned at a pretty young age that swimming is not a celebrated sport in America, nothing like basketball, baseball, or football -- telling my friends that I PRed in the 100 Free didn't generate much recognition. However, for a brief few weeks once every four years, swimming becomes one of the most important sports in the country. At no time was this more true than the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, and it was all due to Michael Phelps.
Phelps is often called the Greatest Olympian of All Time. The evidence is staggering. 18 Olympic Gold Medals, the most all time, and more than double the second highest winners. Five Olympic appearances, including his first finals appearance when he was just 15 years old. And an incredible 8 gold medals in a single Olympics.
To understand how insane this is, it's important to look at swimming itself. Most swimmers specialize in both a single stroke and a distance. A sprinter and freestyler will swim the 50 Free and the 100 Free, while a distance freestyler will swim events like the 800 Free and 1650 Free. A breaststroker will swim the breaststroke and maybe the Individual IM. You don't see much crossover between these different events. Michael Phelps is a big exception. In order to win in Beijing, Phelps had to be the best flyer and IMer in the world, plus a pretty damn good mid-distance freestyler. It's one thing to be the best in the world at one event, but the best in the world at three different disciplines in unheard of.
Phelps' journey to eight medals gave us some of the most exciting swimming in decades. In the 4x100 Freestyle relay, it looked like Phelps was going to lose his chances after only two events. Anchor and Olympic veteran Jason Lezak was a full body-length behind Alain Bernard, a world record holder in the 100 Free. I remember watching and literally believing the race was over. But Jason Lezak pulled ahead, smashed the fastest split of all time in this event, and secured the gold from the favored French, keeping Phelps' dreams alive.
But this pales in comparison to the 100 Fly. Phelps was two medals away from his historic record, and his competition was Serbian Milorad Cavic. Cavic beat out Phelps in prelims for the top seed time and also engaged in some trash talking against the American swimmer. Phelps also had to contend with Australian Ian Crocker, one of the best flyers of the decade. It was not going to be an easy race. Behind at the turn, Phelps caught up to the leaders and touched the wall at practically the same time as Cavic. In fact, there was only 1/100th of a second of a difference, and it was in Phelps' favor. While Cavic glided into the wall, Phelps took an extra stroke which won him the race.
1/100th of a second is not a time that can be understood by human thought. It's 30x faster than the blink of an eye, and the smallest fraction of time used in swimming. Phelps couldn't have won by any less time.
There is no doubt that Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all-time, and now he's back to stun the competition this summer in Rio.
It is true that outside the pool Phelps has struggled with inner demons. He has been arrested for driving while intoxicated twice and estranged from his father for most of his life. At one point in 2014, Phelps even considered ending his life. However, after time in rehab and encouragement from his family and friends, Phelps is happier, healthier, and more driven than ever. He reconnected with his father and became father in his own right when his fiancé gave birth to a son this May. And now he is gracing our televisions once again for the last time in Rio after coming out of retirement, and I couldn't be more excited.
I may forget where I was when I watched Michael Phelps win in Beijing, but I'll never forget how I felt. It wasn't just pride for my country, although I had plenty of that. It was pride for my sport. For the hours spent staring at a black line at the bottom of the pool. For the hours spent in a humid room waiting for a single minute in the water. For the mind games that can only come just before you step up on to the blocks. But most of all, it was pride for a kid who has had his share of struggles but emerged as the greatest Olympic athlete of all time.
