Michael Phelps Biography

Michael Fred Phelps II, born on June 30, 1985, is an American former competitive swimmer who achieved global recognition in the sport. He has earned 28 Olympic medals across four Games, the most by any athlete in Olympic history. At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, he matched the record of eight total medals in a single Games by winning six gold and two bronze. Phelps won four gold and two silver medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, and five gold and one silver at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He previously held world records in long course events including the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter freestyle, and 400-meter individual medley. He received the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award in 2012 and 2016, and has been named World Swimmer of the Year eight times and American Swimmer of the Year eleven times. His record-breaking performance in the 2008 Games earned him Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year award.