Despite Retirement, Michael Phelps Remains Undefeated in This Event for 14 Years

Michael Phelps retired from his swimming career back in 2016 after claiming several records to his name. Even after six years of his retirement, it has been difficult for the swimmers to challenge some of his records. Although, as time passed by, many of his individual records have been broken now. But there is one that has remained intact. It is the 400 IM LCM record that he established in the 2008 Olympics is still untouched.

It has been fourteen years since the record was created. In an Instagram post uploaded by Swimming Stats, the world was reminded of Phelp’s dominance during his reign at the pool. Let us have a look at the record and see if someone has been able to come close to it. 

Who came the closest to Michael Phelps’s 400 IM record?

The legendary swimmer, Michael Phelps, created the record of completing the 400 IM in 4:03.84 on 10th August 2008 and is unbroken. Even before that, Phelps was the record holder in that category, and he only bettered himself every time till he made this record. After Phelps, however, a few swimmers came close to breaking the record, but not enough to surpass it.

Young French prodigy Leon Marchand is the closest a professional swimmer could have reached to this record. He created the European Record by covering the distance in 4:04.28. Other than that, Ryan Lochte covered 400 IM in 4:05.18 in the 2012 Olympics, where he won the gold. Other than him, Chase Kalisz also went the second closest in the 2017 World Championships when he finished in 4:05.90. Surprisingly, only these three have been able to cover this distance under 4:06.

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Records are meant to be broken, and this one seems to be a little far-fetched to break. However, many young swimmers have shown dominance at the junior level and are seen as rising stars. In fact, it is always exciting to make predictions. Here are some of the fans’ reactions to this post by Swimming Stats.

Will this swimming sensation break Phelps’s record? 

The swimming prodigy from France, Leon Marchand has shown tremendous competence and growth in the competitions. He has conquered several records and has even impressed Bob Bowman with his skills. Even Bob couldn’t help but observe the sheer grit that The Baltimore Bullet once had in this young star. Let us have a look at what the swimming fans have to say about who can break this record. 

The fans wrote,

“We know Leon can get the record, but can he go sub 4?”

“Is Phelps human? Leon is near, maybe WR in Paris.”

“I say it goes down this year. Leon is on fire!”

“25% are Americans, what 😱 but come on Leon 🇫🇷”

“Not for long! Marchand breaks it in the Worlds this year!”

The record has been there in the books for so long now. It will be interesting to keep a watch on it. What’s your opinion about it? Let us know in the comment section.

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