Michael Phelps

Athlete Card | Olympics Swimming Medal Tracker

Phelps first took to the pool at the age of 7 and was undoubtedly influenced by his two elder sisters, including Whitney, who competed at the U.S. Olympic trials in 1996. At 15 he was the youngest male American since 1932 to take part in the Olympics, where he finished a very respectable fifth in the 200 butterfly. Just a year later he bagged his first world championship gold in the 200 butterfly, adding another three golds in the 200 and 400 medley and the 4x100 medley. The 6-foot-4 Baltimore native won three gold and two silver medals breaking five world records in the process.

Now, at just 23 years old, Phelps has won eight gold medals in Beijing and become the most successful single-Games Olympian of all time. He is also the most decorated gold medalist in Olympic history with 14 career gold medals.

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Fredrick Sandberg/AFP/Getty Images

US swimmer Michael Phelps swims during a training session at Eriksdalsbadet arena in Stockholm, on November 9, 2009, on the...

Photo | November 11, 2009

AP Photo/Bob Bukaty

...United States' Michael Phelps, Garret Weber-Gale and Jason lezak, bottom, celebrate winning the gold medal in the men's...

Photo | August 11, 2009

AP Photo/Philip Scott Andrews

Michael Phelps, center, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday July 15, 2009, in Los Angeles

Photo | July 17, 2009

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 15: **Exclusive** Swimmer Michael Phelps and actress Demi Moore pose backstage during the 17th annual ESPY Awards held at Nokia Theatre...

Photo | July 17, 2009

AP Photo/Gerry Broome

Olympic swimming gold medalist Michael Phelps swims in the men's final 100 meter butterfly during the USA Swimming Grand Prix Series...

Photo | May 18, 2009

AP Photo/Gail Burton

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps walks towards reporters to answer question before training at the Meadowbrook Aquatic Center, Friday, Feb. 6...

Photo | February 20, 2009

Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Olympics Day 9 - Swimming BEIJING - AUGUST 17: Michael Phelps of the United States smiles with the American flag as he wears his eighth gold medal...

Photo | February 09, 2009