Michael Phelps Biography

Fast Facts

• At the 2016 Olympic Games, he became only the third American to win the same individual event at four consecutive Olympics
• Became the most decorated Olympic medalist in 2012, when he won his 23rd medal
• Received a Lifetime Achievement Award box from the cereal brand Wheaties in 2016
• Founded the Michael Phelps Foundation in 2008 to help promote childhood participation in the sport of swimming
• Attended the University of Michigan, where he served as a volunteer coach for the swim team
• In 2016, he got married to former Miss California USA 2010 Nicole Johnson
• Started swimming at the age of seven to help control his hyperactivity disorder
• Quote: "[On his swimming accomplishments] "This all started and began with one little dream as a kid to change the sport of swimming, try to do something nobody has ever done․""
• Record-breaking Olympic swimmer with all-around abilities, but specializes in the butterfly stroke
• Became the youngest person to compete in the Olympics since 1932, when he qualified for the 2000 Olympic Games
• Has a wingspan that is longer than his height