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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BERLIN - NOVEMBER 15: Michael Phelps of USA reacts after the men's 200m individual medley final during day two of the...

Photo | November 15, 2009

Michael Phelps, center, arrives with his mother, Debbie Phelps, left, and sister Hilary Phelps at the USA Swimming...

Photo | November 22, 2009

Members of the United States' men's 4x100-meter free relay team, from left, Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Nathan Adrian and Matt Grevers accept the Relay Performance of the Year award at...

Photo | November 22, 2009

Swimmer Michael Phelps accepts the Male Race of the Year award for his 100 butterfly at the 2009 FINA...

Photo | November 22, 2009

Michael Phelps arrives at the USA Swimming Foundation's Golden Goggles Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday...

Photo | November 22, 2009

Michael Phelps arrives at the USA Swimming Foundation's Golden Goggles Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday...

Photo | November 22, 2009

US swimmer Michael Phelps reacts after the men's 200 meters individual medley final at the FINA short course swimming...

Photo | November 15, 2009

US swimmer Michael Phelps swims a men's 200 meters individual medley heat at the FINA short course swimming World...

Photo | November 15, 2009

US swimmer Michael Phelps swims a men's 200 meters freestyle heat at the FINA short course swimming World Cup...

Photo | November 15, 2009

US swimmer Michael Phelps swims a men's 200 meters individual medley heat at the FINA short course swimming World...

Photo | November 15, 2009

...the 200-meter individula medley short-course world record.Townsend clocked 1:51.55 to beat Michael Phelps at the World Cup meet Sunday and break the mark of 1:51.56 set by...

Photo | November 15, 2009