“Go Home and Pass Out”: Michael Phelps Felt Radical Changes in Recovery Time From 2000 Sydney Olympics to 2016 Rio Olympics Once

Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympic swimmer of all time. The 23-time Olympic gold medallist has achieved remarkable success with his talent and has created stunning world records with his spectacular victories. The famous swimmer, however, announced his retirement in 2016, breaking the heart of his fans.

However, from his beginning in the Sydney Olympics 2000 to the Rio Olympics in 2016, he underwent many changes. The stages of his recovery also affected him majorly.

Michael Phelps’ recovery phases from 2000 to 2016

Once, Sports Illustrated spoke with Anne Friedlander, a former director of the mobility section at the Stanford Center. He is also a professor of biology at Stanford University. He clarifies the situation of Michael’s recovery, which has changed throughout the years.

Friedlander said, “For him, the biggest problem is recovery time. When you’re young, the response of your body, the inflammatory response, is much stronger and faster.” 

READ MORE: “I’m Lifting Three Days a Week”: Retired Legend Michael Phelps Reveals His Rigorous Workout Routine to Be the Best Version of Himself

Meanwhile, during a news conference, Phelps addressed that his pre-event rest and recovery plan hadn’t been as effective as it usually was. He stated, “My legs haven’t felt like they normally feel during a taper at all, this whole meet. I’m going to get a massage, I’m going to go get in a 50-degree ice tank, and then I’m going to go home and pass out.”

Michael’s legacy in the swimming

He has occasionally astounded his fans with incredible workouts. He once added loads of crushed ice to his exercise regimen to be the best version of himself during his recovery. Being the best swimmer of all time unquestionably requires a healthy mix of commitment and training sessions. He has impeccably maintained his perfect physique, even after his retirement.

Throughout his career, he devoted himself to swimming and had a competitive drive. His remarkable journey has been linked to the Olympics’ swimming history. After his retirement, he usually gets spotted playing golf or fathering his three sons. His wife, Nicole Johnson, also shared a glimpse of their day while playing golf together. In addition, during the beginning of his career, he published a book about his life titled Beneath the Surface.

WATCH THE STORY: Michael Phelps’ Long Torso Leaves Fan Shocked As His Image With 4’11 Ft Gymnast Resurfaces.