The Baltimore Shark

Michael Fred Phelps and gold are synonyms. The most successful athlete of all times, for a lot of years he has been King Midas; everything he touched turned into gold. Not in vain he owns the record of more Olympic medals, and more gold medals in one tournament. He defeated the record of Mark Spitz, another northamerican swimmer that won 7 gold medals in Munich '72. He was the sensation in Beijing 2008 and Phelps set the record in 8 gold awards.

Michael Phelps celebrates one of his golden medals. Source: natacion.com

He was born in Baltimore in 1985, and he didn't learn to swim until the age of 7. As he confesses in his biography, he was afraid of water. Once he learnt, he never stopped. Bowman was a fulcrum for him. He was like a father to him and made him aim to professional swimming. Phelps has been a premature star, at the age of 10 he broke a national record and when he was 15 he participated in his first Olympics; Sidney 2000. The genius of the water was 5th and won a diploma.

Four years later, he jumped to fame in Athens, 8 medals; 6 golds and 2 bronzes. The Baltimore Shark was born, and worlwide known. He targeted Mark Spitz for the following Olympics and he did the most impressing performance ever: 8 consecutive gols medals. It's not that he hadn't good rivals, Ryan Lochte, László Cseh, Ian Thorphe... But he was unbeatable.

Eventually, in London 2012 he won 4 golds and 2 silvers. Troughout his career, he has broken 34 world records and has won 22 Olympic medals. Not only that, Phelps has achieved the awards World Swimmer of the Year 6 times and the American Swimmer of the Year in 8 consecutive ocassions. Of course, he's been champions in the Swimming World Cup and in countless national tournaments.

The most successful athlete of all times swimming in Beijing. Source: Aldia

Strangely, the american swimmer was told when he was a child that he would never succeed in any sport, because of his inhability to concentrate; he has TDAH. Later on, he became the best swimmer of all times, and he hobnobs with Michael Jordan, Schumacher, Maradona and a wide range of athletes to be the best ever. 

Phelps was superior to the rest of his opponents, because of his incredible scale (up to 2m), and his ability called the dolphin's kick; a way to be faster in water by kicking the water and optimize his armfuls. No other secret is needed, he didn't wear the famous Speedo swimsuit that contained 1 litre of air and makes swimmers lighter, he based his work in effort and diet, 

This sportsman is also famous because of his crazy diet, it contained 12,000 calories. and comprised pasta, pizza, eggs in industrial proportions. Is that the secret? Unfortunately, these days ended, and now he's making headlines because of different but not good issues. However, he keeps running his foundation for children.

Tomás Orihuela
Journalism