The Olympics are just so freaking wonderful and my favorite time of the year. So far the 31st Olympiad has not been short of OMG moments. From Team USA’s Final Five’s Golden Performance in the Women’s Gymnastics Team Finals, swimming all-star Katie Ledecky breaking records and taking names, and how can we forget swimmer Lilly King calling out Russian swimmer Yulia Efimova. All of these things have been awesome moments, but no one is having an outstanding Olympic performance quite like the GOAT himself, Michael Phelps!
Phelps retired after some personal disappoints in the 2012 London Olympic Games. However, he didn’t like how he went out and wanted to right some wrongs in Rio. He has comeback so hard.
The first wrong he made right was the Men’s 4x100 meter freestyle relay. In London, everyone thought that the men would win this relay, but France came out of nowhere and took the gold leaving Team USA for silver. Michael Phelps says in numerous interviews that he didn’t train properly for the London games. He changed his game and his training. Personally, he became a daddy that changed him as well. The development of Michael Phelps over the past four years has been amazing. He lands in Rio, splashed into that pool and took gold with this 4x100 teammates. Gold medal number 20!
The second wrong, the Men’s 200-meter butterfly. In London, four years ago South Africa’s Chad le Clos took gold in the race and it was a shocking moment for sure. I think that after that race and Phelps took silver that maybe he should be done and retire. But Phelps came back. This race took on so much more meaning during the semifinals…and the greatest Internet meme was born. The Phelps face.
Chad le Clos was out there shadowing box and trying to get into Phelps’ head while they were in the ready room. This glorious moment happened.
Phelps came in second in his semifinal heat and then it was go time. It was timed for the finals, and Michael Phelps made that Phelps face and shredded the competition. Gold for Phelps and a fourth place off of the medal stand finish for le Clos.
This Phelps face has many uses in my life. So many uses.
I’m a teacher, so when students make some poor choices and I’m slightly disappointed. Make that Phelps face.
I love Diet Coke and I usually only order it when I’m out to dinner at a restaurant. “Is Diet Pepsi OK?” Make that Phelps face.
Someone asks a question in meeting that was almost over and now the meeting lasts about ten minutes longer. Make that Phelps face.
My personal favorite. “When you are going to get boyfriend / get married / have babies?" I will make the Phelps face with fidelity.
