Michael Phelps added his 19th gold medal (23rd medal overall) to his record on Sunday when he competed in the Men’s 4x100m freestyle relay. (He’s the most decorated Olympian of all time.) That a relay was his first medal is especially poignant because this Olympics marks the first time the US Olympic Swim Team voted Michael to be one of their five captains. It was a great race, too. Michael does an underwater butterfly kick on his turn that basically cinched the race only two swimmers in. And Nathan Adrian’s final lap was beautiful as he staved off Jérémy Stravius from France.
Michael Phelps made it a night to remember on Sunday, August 7, when he won his first gold medal of the Rio Games.
Phelps took the second leg of the race, which he competed in with his teammates Nathan Adrian, Ryan Held and Caeleb Dressel.
The win was special, not only because it brings his Olympic gold-medal count to an incredible 19, but because his 3-month-old baby was there to witness it.
The games are expected to be the final Olympics for Phelps, who admitted before they began that he was excited to have Boomer be there for his grand finale.
He said: “To have him watch the potential last races of my career is something I look forward to being able to share with him.”
Phelps is the most-decorated Olympian in history, having won a total of 19 medals.
I got emotional watching Michael carry the flag for the US in the Parade of Nations, despite the controversy surrounding it. He has never walked in the PoN because he always has to swim the next day, which he did this time around as well but opted to walk and leave immediately after his lap around the stadium. He admitted to Michele Tafoya of NBC prior to the PoN that he was really touched the team voted from him as flag-bearer because he doesn’t think he was seen as approachable to past teams. I really feel like we are seeing an entirely different Michael, one who is trying to redeem himself not only for himself but for his country by finally acting like the Olympian he should be.
As mentioned, Lil’ Boomer, who has his own Instagram, was there along with his mom Nicole and Michael’s mom Deborah to cheer on Michael. Boomer wore these star-spangled headphones so his little ears wouldn’t get hurt from the deafening crowd (although I imagine Granny Deb was likely the loudest one there).
Happy @MichaelPhelps family Boomer @MissNicoleJ @MamaPhelpsH20 #Rio2016 #TeamUSA #USA #Olympics #swimming #Baltimore pic.twitter.com/tu4pbfwlOV
— Shannon Encina (@ShannonEncina) August 8, 2016
We learned from Michael’s Under Armour commercial that one of his training techniques is cupping, a form of alternative medicine that involves applying heated cups to the skin and pulling them off to loosen and relax muscles. It also leaves circular bruises on the skin for about three days. The effects of cupping are being reevaluated but currently, medical studies are inconclusive as to its effectiveness. However, many of the athletes in Rio are doing it. If it isn’t hurting them and it isn’t banned, have at it.
Michael swam twice yesterday in the 200m butterfly, coming in 2nd in his semi-finals race. That puts him in the finals today. I’ll update with the results. Go Team USA!
*UPDATE* – GOLD! Number 20! Congratulations Michael!
*UPDATE* – GOLD! Number 21! Team USA dominated the 4x200m relay. Townley Haas owned his laps.
Photo credit: Getty Images, WENN Photos and Twitter
I honestly can’t remember the demeanor of Phelps in previous Olympics but I love how relaxed and happy he seems this go around, a great choice for captain.
And that photo of the ladies and baby Boomer is priceless, so much emotion.
I’m loving these games, shout out to the US men’s synchronized divers on their silver. That event is pretty amazing, too.
I think he’s always felt the pressure of past Olympics and the pedestal. This time around with everything that happened between London and Rio he’s really turned it around for the better. He’s enjoying himself more which in the past he’s said he didn’t really enjoy anything until after. He’s been really involved in team USA and just enjoying it being his possible last games. I’m thinking Boomer and Nicole had a big influence on this turnaround which is great for Phelps.
I’ve always been a fan but this new demeanor makes me like him even more. Also how cute was Dressel sobbing on the podium and Phelps comforting him. Love the emotions. Go USA
Now that you mention it I remember hearing him say in an interview a few years ago that basically he hated swimming. So grim. I was a swimmer so I know that love-hate dynamic very well, it’s so brutal and solitary. But it does seem like he’s found a way to enjoy it more, which is huge. I’m happy for him.
He’s talked about what a difference his trip to rehab made to finally confront his issues. Phelp’s problems weren’t about swimming or pressure to podium.
I agree. It seems like family life has suited him. There’s also a story making its rounds on social media about him being close to suicide and reading the book Purpose Driven Life and having more hope after that. I can imagine that faith and family would be incredibly grounding when you’re weary of being America’s golden child. Not like, over it, but the constant pressure would be so hard.
Was his demeanour bad before? I always thought he seemed nice enough at the Olympics and behaved appropriately at the swimming pool.
I thought so too but reading between the lines he was probably very inwardly focused because of stress and wasn’t the most approachable or friendly. You can see he’s just more loose now.
I kind of figured that most of the top athletes aren’t that approachable. I vaguely remember reading that Michelle Kwan never stayed in the Olympics village. But I don’t hold that against them. I figure they all do what they need to do to actually win (either avoiding distractions or maintaining distance), otherwise the media is going to be all over them if they lose.
That’s why I was surprised by this comment in the blog post above: “I really feel like we are seeing an entirely different Michael, one who is trying to redeem himself not only for himself but for his country by finally acting like the Olympian he should be.”
I never felt Michael Phelps has needed redemption when it comes to being an Olympian. His private life t has been stressful and he’s gotten himself into a few messes out of the pool, but I’ve always thought he behaved well while actually swimming. The men have team golds because of him and I would owe that to the fact that they respect him as a leader and a guy with a bunch of gold medals. For someone with as many gold medals as him, he’s never struck me as arrogant either. I can see him being distant when necessary, but he doesn’t seem like a jerk either so I guess I was a little taken aback about the notion of him having to redeem himself.
I love your comments….
I feel the same way about phelps. He seems very honest and just…human. A human with a superhuman body. 🙃🙃🙃
I think that he is aware of who he is as a person because he’s struggled with ADHD his entire life. With the help of his mother and the discipline of swimming and competition, he’s been able to manage and control his focus. There have been stumbling blocks, of course, but it seems as though he is able to bounce back from those incidents in a mature, self-assured way. The press did have an absolute field day covering his post-Olympic behavior. I look forward to seeing what he does at these Olympics and in the future. He seems like a class-act who is not going to be defined by athletic success, but the way he navigates his life’s journey. 🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅🏅👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Yay!!! I love Michael. I’m glad he’s gotten his life back in control. He seemed to have spiraled out there for a bit, but who can blame him… he basically gave up his youth to dedicate his life to swimming. I was upset when everybody tore him apart for the pot smoking. The DUIs, on the other hand, infuriated me and I didn’t see that all over the news…. anyways, lots of sidetracking there but I’m still working on my first cup of joe. I was worried he was going to turn into the more-talented Lohan of swimming, so I’m glad to see that he seems happy and at peace with himself… and that he’s killing it. 🙂
The Lohan of swimming..hehe..that put a strange picture in my head–her parents fighting poolside, her attorney pushing her off the block, her coach dangling a Birkin bag to guide her to the finish and underwater selfies all the way
Lol! Great description.
The Huns are coming for you Phelps 😉 Going to be a great race. The swimming is just so exciting this time round, so many upsets and world records! I’m supporting Hungary and Team GB <3
I’m experiencing major Lance Armstrong dejavu. When someone thoroughly dominates a sport that is riddled with proven drug cheats, what are the odds, especially given he is no spring chicken. Unless he is an X man mutant…
Ooh, I don’t know. I was suspicious of Lance, much to the outrage of my (former) fanboy husband, from Day One of his comeback. I’m much less so about the US Olympians. Although a commenter on Deadspin said something about how it isn’t possible for any athlete, in any sport, to medal without doping.
I won’t lie that I was immediately suspicious about the female Hungarian swimmer, Katinka Hosszu, and her world recording shattering swim the other night.
I didnt saw the Hungarians swim but I remember thinking that about *murmurs* Katy Ledecky. But I guess shes young and just getting better(?)
Never suspected Phelps tbh, I always read hiw his body was just perfect for swimming. So yeah, hes an X Man.
I think I remember reading that during the last Olympics Michael volunteered to be drug tested above and beyond requirements. He had something like a dozen drug tests and never came back positive. I can’t know for sure, obviously, but when does a cheat put themselves at extra risk of exposure?
I remember reading several articles about Phelps about this; apparently his body type and flexibility are just ideal.
Nathan Adrian is my favorite of the swimmers though. He’s on the far left in the relay picture.
Nathan Adrian is just so darn beautiful! Seems like a really sweet guy, too.
@Marion
I’m no expert on swimming, but I have read Michael’s body is super suited to the sport. His arms are abnormally proportioned to the rest of his body (I think) and he has good feet for swimming.
Phelps has long been the most tested athlete in the sport, if not the Olympics. Supposedly he’s actually been subject to testing that was above and beyond what the IOC does, because they specifically knew he would be under the most suspicion (Dara Torres has been too, due to her age). And realistically, we’re seeing cracks now. He’s not the dominant athlete that he was 2 Olympics ago. It’s always possible that someone is dirty though – Lance Armstrong never failed a test either.
I had no idea Phelps had never been in the opening ceremonies until last week. I’m so happy for him that he finally got to do it, and be the flag bearer to boot.
Am I the only one who wants to know more about his fiancee, Nicole? She seems to have had a very positive impact on him, and I’m curious since we don’t really know much about her!
The video of Ryan Held crying on the podium was so moving!
The Phelps death stare at Le Clos is destined to become an Olympic classic.
I wish I was there to see him swimming. I saw his interview saying he is enjoying more the experience. In the past, he was too focused on the competition. He has proved time and time again, he IS the Olympian. I am glad now he is relaxed.
Go Phelps! Go USA swimming team!
Woohoo! Congrats Phelps! Congrats USA swimming team!!! Incredible!!!