Phelps holds the all-time records for gold medals (15) and gold medals in individual events (9). He is also the current individual long course world record holder in the 100 meters butterfly, 200 meters butterfly, and 400 meters individual medley. Phelps is now 27 years old and is competing in his third Summer Olympic Games, which means he could still be able to qualify for the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games since he would be 31 by then.
If appointing the title of greatest Olympic athlete of all time, it is hard not to say Michael Phelps without even blinking, but there is a strong case to be made for Ukrainian gymnast Larisa Latynina. Larisa was born in Kherson, a part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic on December 27, 1934 and is 77 years old. She has 18 Olympic medals (9 golds) and is the female athlete with the most gold medals ever and who at one point held that record for both men and women.
Great reporting Kevis! This will be one of the biggest story lines of London 2012. Most people don't realize this because it was so insignificant, but Phelps actually competed in the 2000 Olympics too, so this would be his fourth trip. He failed to medal in his only race (200m butterfly) so it is easily forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThat 200m fly was incredible. Probably why NBC still saw huge overnight ratings despite all the tape delay hoopla. Great piece Kevis!
ReplyDeleteGood piece Kevis, Michael Phelps really is a phenomenal athlete. Although I think that Mark Spitz could have been mentioned in this piece. He has less medals, but times were different back then. Nowadays, things like technology of training and a better comprehension of nutrition in general, other than many other aspects, allows an athlete to have a longer career along with numerous other advantages.
ReplyDeleteErick "Berdy" von Lachmann
Michael Phelps is indeed a great athlete.
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