MICHAEL PHELPS:


Phelps was born and raised in Baltimore County, situated in the state of Maryland in the United States of America.

RECORDS and personal bests:
Introduced in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney as the youngest male swimmer in 15 years of age. Although it won medals at the 2000 Olympics, Phelps quickly made a name in swimming.

Five months after Sydney, Phelps improved the world record 200m butterfly and then returned to improve their own record at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan (1:54,58). In the 2002 National Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Phelps also broke the world record for 400 meters and 100 meters national record and 200m butterfly.

In 2003, Phelps broke his own world record 400m medley (4:09,09) and in June, the world record 200m (1:56,04). He continued in July 2004, again improving his world record of 400m medley (4:08,41) for the Trials for the 2004 Olympics.

Phelps's dominance has led to comparisons with Mark Spitz, who won seven gold medals in the Olympics in 1972, a world record. Phelps won six gold medals and two bronze in 2004 after competing in eight events: 200 freestyle, 100m and 200m butterfly, 200m and 400m medley, 4x100 freestyle, 4x100 medley and 4x200 medley.

Phelps beat the world record set by Mark Spitz by winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Olympics.

In 2010, FINA is voted best athlete of the decade in men's swimming discipline.