The most decorated Olympian of all time has seen many highs and lows throughout his swimming career. From being caught smoking marijuana out of a water pipe to being charged with a DUI, it seemed as though the American hero was spiraling down a dark path. Even though these downfalls had set him back, he is now back and (almost) better than ever.
At the 2015 U.S. Nationals in San Antonio, Texas, Phelps had posted a time of 50.45 in the 100 butterfly, the fastest time in the world that year. In addition, he posted a time of 1:52.94 in the 200 butterfly, another top time in the world. According to an NBC article, that time would have won him the 2015 World Championship title by over half a second and won the 2012 London Olympic gold medal by .02 seconds.
After Phelps won eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2009 marijuana scandal broke. It showed a picture of Phelps smoking out of a water pipe. He was hit with a three-month ban by USA Swimming and lost a number of sponsorships, one of which was Kelloggs cereal.
In December of 2014, the Phelps pleaded guilty to a DUI. He was pulled over for speeding and crossing the double yellow line, according to an ESPN article. He was sentenced to mandatory probation and a six-month suspension from any swimming competitions.
Even though his downfalls made him train harder, the talk from other swimmers made Phelps want to be the best. Chad Le Clos, South African record holder and arch-nemesis of Phelps, had a few choice words about the world record holder.
“Michael Phelps has been talking about how slow the butterfly events have been recently. I just did a time he hasn’t done in four years. So he can keep quiet now,” Le Clos said.
The nonchalant swimmer did not fight back or retaliate in words, but instead with his actions. A few hours later, Phelps topped the leader boards and showed him who should be quiet.
Phelps after his first night at the 2015 U.S. Nationals.
Many people thought Phelps was down and out, but results from U.S. Nationals showed why he is still in his prime.
"After his performance in the 2012 Olympics, I didn't think he had it in him anymore," said Aspen-Jade Tucker, a swimmer at Ramapo College. "He looked like he just didn't want to swim anymore. After hearing about his times after nationals, I was so excited. I knew the king would come back."
"After Phelps had announced that he was going to retire, I was devastated," said Benjamin Bland, another swimmer at Ramapo. "He was one of the major influences why I started to swim. I was so excited when he came out of retirement. Hearing about his swims only made me more excited and wanted to make me train harder."
At the ripe age of 30, Phelps still continues to amaze and prove to the world that no matter how old you are, anything is possible. He plans to keep training and eventually qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
