Talk about some of the most successful Olympians of all time, and Michael Phelps will surely top your list. Such has been the career of one of the greatest swimmers ever. During his glorious career, the American legend clinched 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold medals. Gymnast Larisa Latynina is a distant second with 18 medals.
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During his playing days, numerous personalities had a positive impact on his career. His athletic role model while growing up was NBA star Michael Jordan. Further, he once revealed how his media trainers prepared him to face the press at press conferences.
Michael Phelps’ media trainers had bizarre ways
In his biography, ‘Beneath The Surface: My Story’, Phelps revealed how his media trainers prepared him for the press conferences. Talking about it, he said, “If someone asks: ‘Michael, do you have a girlfriend?’ My answer might be, ‘Right now, my focus is pretty much on getting ready for Trials, so I don’t have much time for anything else. I’m sure I’ll have time later this fall to relax and have some fun.'”
However, this was not the first time he had faced such questions. A few years back, Phelps sat down with his coach Bob Bowman to confront the media after an Olympic race. The reporters asked him whether he had a girlfriend.
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Further, he described the situation in his book by saying, “I had no idea what to do or say or how to answer that. My face got pretty red as I told them I did. Then they asked her name, which I gave them.”
Phelps lauds Leon Marchand
Recently, the French wonderkid, Leon Marchand, came seconds within breaking Phelps’ long-time record in the 400m individual medley. The American legend set the world record at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, completing the race at 4 minutes and 3.84 seconds. Marchand fell 44 hundredths shy of the record at the world championships.
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Watch This Story: Swimming Legend Michael Phelps’ Top 5 Iconic Career Races
Reacting to this, Phelps said, “I’m excited to see a kid come up and challenge that record.” Interestingly, Marchand is a pupil of Phelps’ long-time coach, Bob Bowman.