Michael Phelps

[zitothebrave]

Can we marvel at maybe the greatest athlete of all time?

Some crazy numbers. Phelps's 20 gold medals in 5 olympics is more than countries like Argentina, Austria, and Jamaica. Phelps holds 3 individual long course world records, and 3 relay long course world records, as well as 1 short course relay record. His 7 world records if you removed them from the US total (which yes I know is impossible) would be the second most in the world after the rest of the US.

Phelps of course owns the record for gold medals. Phelps in 2008/2009 was the most dominant male swimmer arguably ever. Aside from his 8 golds at the olympics, he added 5 more at the World Championships the following year. Most people thought he wouldn't compete in 2012 and it was his swansong, and then he came back out of retirement and has been dominating the olympics with 2 wins in 2 tries. The man is 100% a beast. Phelps is one of the athletes that people of my generation will talk about like how my dad would talk about Mays or Aaron.

[zitothebrave]

[acesfull86]

Anecdotal, but I know a few people who have either met Phelps or know people who know him and they've told me unanimously that he's a colossal douche. To be fair, I'm sure he has grown up a bit given he's older now, has a kid, and has presumably been humbled by off the field incidents. Does temper my enthusiasm for his accomplishments, but there's no question he is an otherworldly amazing athlete.

[zitothebrave]

I'm sure he's a giant douche. Most people at the top of their game is because they're competitive 100% of the time. Michael Jordan had a reputation of being a jerk.

[thewupk]

got another one. goat

[yeezus]

got another one. goat

Greatest Olympian of All Time

[thewupk]

Greatest Olympian of All Time

Literally as he broke a 2000+ year old record for his 13th individual win. Insane.

[yeezus]

Literally as he broke a 2000+ year old record for his 13th individual win. Insane.

Unreal indeed.

[zitothebrave]

Phelps's theme song fo sho