The most decorated Olympian of all time is none other than Michael Phelps. Phelps is often credited as not only the best swimmer in history, but also the best athlete the world has ever seen.
But things have not always been easy for Phelps. Phelps was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at the age of seven, which is what led him to swimming. Swimming was recommended as an outlet for Phelps because of his extra energy.
Phelps made his first Olympic debut in 2000 at only 15 years old, and while he didn’t earn any medals at the 2000 games, it was clear that Phelps had a bright future ahead of him.
One year later, Phelps became the youngest male swimmer to break a world record when he won the 400m freestyle at the 2001 World Aquatics Championship. This was the start of what would become Phelps’ road to becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time.
Phelps’ next Olympic appearance in 2004 proved to be a huge success, as he won six gold medals and two bronze medals. After the 2004 Olympics, Phelps’ hometown even named a street after him.
Heading into the 2008 Olympic Games, Phelps had won seventeen world championship gold medals in the four years since the 2004 Olympics. Phelps continued to thrive in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games, claiming more and more gold medals becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time.
After the 2012 games, Phelps said that he was going to retire. However, he came back and trained for the 2016 Olympic Games where he earned five gold medals and one silver medal.
Phelps has become an inspiration not only for being one of the best athletes of all time, but he has also become an inspiration for many due to the personal struggles he has endured.
On Monday, September 29, 2014 at 1:40 a.m. Phelps was pulled over and was recorded as going 84 mph in a 45 mph zone. He was also recorded as failing two sobriety tests and his blood alcohol level was 0.14, which is far higher than the state’s legal limit of 0.08. Phelps’ extremely high speed and high level of intoxication hinted at a larger problem.
Phelps ended up checking himself into a rehab facility. When asked about it, he said, “Hug-hug, kiss-kiss, turn in my phone and go to my room. It’s probably the most afraid I’ve ever felt in my life.” After 45 days in rehab, Phelps returned and started training for an originally unplanned 2016 Olympic Games.
Phelps had hit rock bottom before he went into rehab—not even wanting to leave his house at points because he was so depressed. The new Phelps, though, that the public has seen at these games seems happy and healthy! His fiancé and son have been cheering him on during the entirety of the 2016 Olympics.
As an athlete myself Phelps has been and is one of my biggest inspirations. I may be an equestrian instead of a swimmer, but Phelps has not only inspired me to be the best athlete I can possibly be, he has also inspired me to overcome adversity within my sport and within my life. Michael Phelps serves as a symbol for everyone for what it looks like to work hard and stop at nothing to become the best version of yourself possible—even when things may seem dark.
