About Michael
The first place to start with Michael is his body. He stands 6-4 with a wingspan of nearly 80 inches. By all accounts, his frame is perfect for a swimmer. Michael understands how to use his body to its full advantage. His hands and feet are like paddles in the water, and he has an incredibly powerful kick. The butterfly is his signature stroke, but he’s shown the ability to dominate in any event. Michael’s technique is excellent, and no one works harder at it. His training regimen is grueling—two to five hours a day in the pool. He does minimal weightlifting; at this point flexibility and a feel for the water are more important to him. The leg strength Michael added during his 2007 wrist-injury rehab was evident in Beijing on his powerful turns. In the races where he trailed, he made up an extraordinary amount of time pushing off the wall. That extra power in his kick also bought him the hundredth of a second edge he needed to come from behind in the 100-meter butterfly. His physique notwithstanding, endurance may be Michael’s single greatest asset. He’s able to hold his stroke under pressure and when fatigue begins to creep in. From a mind over matter standpoint, Michael is also off the charts. His ability to relax, focus and block out the pain all at once is unique in his sport. He never seems nervous before a race, yet his intensity on the starting block is unmatched.
Michael, Growing up
Michael Phelps, the greatest all-around competitor in the history of his sport. Every time he splashes into the water he’s determined to produce a once-in-a-lifetime performance—according him rock-star status among swim fans and drawing a tidal wave of attention from the non-chlorinated world, as well. Iron Mike’s goal heading into the 2008 Olympics was to become the gold standard for aspiring champions for generations to come. He left Beijing as something substantially more than that. This is his story…
Michael Phelps was born on June 30, 1985 to Fred and...