After Thursday, August 11, 2016, Michael Phelps continues to be the most decorated Olympian EVER, and the first Olympian to win gold in the same event for four Olympic years in a row. With 22 gold medals and a total of 26 medals, Phelps seems better now as the oldest Olympic swimmer to win gold in individual events than just four years ago in London. Though he has said this year's Olympics is his last, commentators and fans alike are unsure. He is 31 and flying past competitors 10 years younger than him. Where his endurance might be shorter than before, his experience in the Olympics proves to be stronger than ever.
So, what has the great Michael Phelps done for America other than make a name in the pools? How does the Michael in Rio differ from Michael of the past four Olympic games? It starts with his son, Boomer Phelps. Michael and fiancee Nicole Johnson welcomed baby Boomer in early May, and he has been a constant drive for Phelps ever since. It has been said time and time again that children change a man, and the same rings true for MVP Phelps. He has competed in four different events in Rio, so far, and he has earned four gold medals in Rio, so far. After each awards ceremony, Phelps is known to approach the stands and kiss his mother. The warm encounter is almost always televised, but now he adds Nicole and Boomer to his list smiling all the way to them. In several interviews post swims, he seems content and happy with his times in the pool and life in general.
Phelps shows determination, concentration, dedication, patriotism and a strive for perfection for his every swim. By now, the comical video of Phelps watching long-time competitor Chad le Clos with a viscous death stare has made its rounds on social media. The video shows just how much Phelps wanted to dominate his competition though. His steely eyes and set mouth prior to the race showed how important the upcoming race was, and he proved himself as the best, once again, after winning gold and reclaiming the title from le Clos.
Time and time again Phelps astonishes the public, but I do not think he amazes himself quite as much, because he already knows what he is capable of and swims to the best of his ability. He was not happy with his swims in London and came back in Rio to prove himself. His dedication to the sport and our country is beyond comprehensible seeing as this marks his fifth Olympic games. Phelps has been so devoted to swimming that he has made every moment for the past 16 years about bettering himself and making the USA proud. He not only wants to do his best, he wants to be the best. Phelps has certainly proven himself in these Olympic games, and though he has had some minor not so award-winning moments in the off-season, he still proves to be the best of his class.
