Champion's Story: Michael Phelps and 23 Olympic Gold Awards

Фото: Depositphotos

Legendary American swimmer Michael Phelps became the 23-multiple Olympic champion, winning the 13 August 4 x 100 complex swimming race.

This award was his fifth “gold” at the Olympics in Rio, writes CNN.

The only swim in Brazil, in which Phelps came second, was won by his fan, who just 8 had just dreamed of being around his idol just a few years ago.

In 2008, a boy from Singapore, on vacation with his parents at a hotel, ran into Michael Phelps, asked to take a photo with him and said that he wanted to be like him. Phelps was already a world star and an unattainable winner of Olympic swimming records. He advised the guy to train a lot and everything would work out.

Michael Phelps and Joseph Skuling in 2008.
Photos: Facebook

An inspired schoolboy named Joseph Schooling began to train intensively, in 2016 he set a new world record and took the first Olympic gold in the history of Singapore, ahead of his idol - at that time 22-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps, and leaving him with silver. .

Michael Phelps and Joseph Skuling in 2016.
Photos: Facebook

They were both shocked by the result.

Joseph Schooling called his victory “madness.”

“I just wanted to be close to him and be happy. “I will remember this all my life,” admitted the Singaporean athlete.

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/TODAYsports/videos/1208955019168403/” width=”500″ height=”400″ onlyvideo=”1″]

“Nobody likes to lose. But I’m proud of Joseph,” Phelps commented on his second place.

There is another story that proves that everything that Phelps touches turns into gold.

In 2006, an 9-year-old girl named Katie Ledeka received an autograph from her idol Michael Phelps, who most likely advised her to train and to persevere toward her goal.

Phelps gives an autograph Ledeka.
Photos: Facebook

And now, in 2016, Katie Ledeka wins 4 gold medals and sets three world records.

Katie Ledecky won gold.
Photos: Facebook

For young athletes, this is just the beginning; for Phelps, according to him, the Olympics in Rio are a farewell chord that worked out perfectly for him. Firstly, he broke an ancient record that stood for more than 2000 years.

The fact is that from 23 Phelps gold medals, 13 were obtained in single swims, which allowed the American swimmer to beat the record of the ancient athlete Leonidas from Rhodes, who won individual awards 12.

In the 36 years, Leonidas won his last 3 medals in 152 BC. Phelps surpassed Leonidas, winning his individual 13 “Gold” in 31 year.

In addition, Phelps won 5 gold medals for some Games, which is also a record.

The only "minus" of his achievements is that if Phelps had a desire to boast and put on all his gold medals at the same time, it could become dangerous for his health, writes Wall Street Journal.

At different Olympics, gold medals weigh differently. Brazilian awards in the Phelps piggy-bank are the hardest, each medal weighs about 500 grams.

All 23 athlete gold awards weigh about 6,6 kg, that is, if you hang them around your neck, it will feel about the same as the average bowling ball.

And if you add to this 3 silver and 2 bronze swimmer awards, it will be quite difficult.

We offer you a selection of interesting facts about the American legend, collected by the publication BuzzFeed.

1. Phelps began swimming in 7 years.
2. The first swimming style he mastered was swimming on his back, as he was afraid to lower his head in the water.
3. He set his first record in the 10 age on the 100 meters butterfly in his age group.
4. In 2000, he became the youngest American swimmer to take part in the Olympics for almost 70-year, he was only 15.
5. Phelps's arm span (203 cm) exceeds the height of the swimmer (193 cm).
6. He has a foot size of 14 (47 by European standards) - 30,2 cm, which also helps him in swimming.
7. He became the youngest swimmer to beat the world record when he was 15 years old.
8. In 27 years, he became the athlete with the highest number of Olympic awards.
9. He still holds the record for 12 in various swimming styles and age groups in the United States.
10. He enters the top 5 of the richest Olympic athletes.

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