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Michael PhelpsAthlete Card | Olympics Swimming Medal TrackerPhelps 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. |
FILE - In this June 14, 2009 file photo, Michael Phelps warms up before participating in the 100-meter freestyle final during the Santa Clara International Grand...
Photo | July 02, 2009
FILE - In this June 14, 2009 file photo, Michael Phelps warms up before participating in the 100-meter freestyle final during the Santa Clara International Grand...
Photo | July 02, 2009
Michael Phelps, of the United States, dives into the pool at the start of the 100-meter freestyle...
Photo | June 21, 2009
Michael Phelps, of the United States, swims on his way to winning the 100-meter freestyle at the...
Photo | June 21, 2009
Michael Phelps, of the United States, smiles as he speaks to reporters after winning the 100-meter freestyle...
Photo | June 21, 2009
Fans of United States swimmer Michael Phelps display a sign of support ahead of his 100-meter freestyle event at the Canada Cup...
Photo | June 21, 2009
Michael Phelps checks his time after winning the 100-meter freestyle at the Canada Cup swim meet in...
Photo | June 21, 2009
Michael Phelps, left, of the United States, is congratulated by Austrlian Matthew Targett, after winning the 100-meter...
Photo | June 21, 2009
Michael Phelps, of the United States, stretches for the 100-meter freestyle, which he won, at the Canada...
Photo | June 21, 2009
American Michael Phelps checks his time after winning the 100m butterfly event at the Canada Cup swimming competition in...
Photo | June 20, 2009
American Michael Phelps swims on his way to winning the 100-meter butterfly event at the Canada Cup swimming...
Photo | June 20, 2009
Going for a swim
AP Photo/Marcio Jose SanchezMichael Phelps competes in a preliminary heat of the 100-meter backstroke during the Santa Clara International Grand...
Photo | June 16, 2009
AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez
From left, Michael Phelps, Brent Hayden and Nathan Adrian stand at the winners' podium after the 100-meter freestyle final...
Photo | June 14, 2009
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
SANTA CLARA, CA - JUNE 12: Michael Phelps of the USA swims in a preliminary heat of the 200m butterfly during the XLII Santa...
Photo | June 13, 2009
Bullet with butterfly wings
Kyle Terada/US PresswireJune 12, 2009; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Michael Phelps (USA) warms up in the practice pool before competing in the men's 200-meter butterfly...
Photo | June 12, 2009EXPLORE RELATED TOPICS
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