?Could Feel Goose Bumps All the Way?: Mark Spitz?s Noble Gesture Towards Michael Phelps Made the 23X Olympic Gold Medalist ?Literally Shake? in 2003

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in the world. He is the world record holder in the men’s 400-meter individual medley in the long course category. Phelps came to the limelight at a very young age. Moreover, he came across many unbelievable moments very early in his career. One of them is getting felicitated by nine-time Olympic champion Mark Spitz.

Michael Phelps has a total of 23 gold medals in the Olympics. In 2008, Phelps broke Spitz’s record of seven first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games, which he created in 1972. During the Beijing Olympics, Phelps won eight gold medals beating Mark Spitz.

How did Mark Spitz felicitate Michael Phelps?

Michael Phelps began swimming at the age of seven. He suffered from ADHD, which made him very restless in school. At times, teachers would complain about him. His mother introduced him to swimming under the influence of Phelps’s sisters. Eventually, Phelps began to see remarkable recognition as a swimmer.

During one of Phelps‘s events, he experienced the unbelievable. After winning the event, he came out of the pool talking to his coach, Bob Bowman. Suddenly, the announcer revealed that Phelps would receive his winning medal from nine-time Olympic winner, Mark Spitz. The entire stadium was screaming in joy while Phelps could not believe his ears.

In his autobiography Beneath The Surface: My Story, Phelps expressed the moment. He stated, “Spitz grabbed my right wrist with his left hand, lifted it into the air into a victorious salute, and pointed to me with his right forefinger. There aren?t many things that can make me shake, I mean literally shake, but I could feel goosebumps all the way up and down my arms and legs.”

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Moreover, Mark Spitz congratulated him for his impeccable performance and wished him all the luck. He also told him to enjoy his success just like he did. After receiving the prize from Spitz, he walked away and took some time to process the unbelievable moment that happened to him. Phelps considered Spitz the greatest swimming icon.

When did Phelps retire?

Michael Phelps retired at the age of 31. He announced his retirement after his fifth Olympics, where he won five golds and a silver medal. Moreover, post-retirement, Phelps seems to be enjoying his life.

Currently, he is engaged in a lot of philanthropic and business-related commitments. He does not plan to make any comeback to the sport.

Watch This Story: Olympic legends Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, and Katie Ledecky hangout with gold medals around their neck