Michael Phelps‘s journey to Olympic stardom was spurred by a major rivalry. The American swimmer’s ambition to beat one man, the Australian freestyle sensation Ian Thorpe, was what spurred him on to become the greatest in the world. This competition improved Phelps’ skills, setting the stage for his brilliant career. Thorpe became a mark that Phelps tried to surpass because of his remarkable accomplishments. Due to this rivalry built on competitiveness and respect for one another, Phelps achieved feats never seen before.

Ian Thorpe attracted Michael Phelps’ attention back in the early 2000s. The American swimmer was thrilled by Thorpe, considering his domination in freestyle events. Phelps frequently adopted the interview approach and characteristics of Thorpe since he respected his clarity. Phelps added, “While Ian was magnificent in the pool, he was a study in how to behave out of it.“ Phelps wrote about Thorpe as a role model for success in and out of the pool in his 2008 book “No Limits: The Will to Succeed,“ which included an outline of this respect.

Thorpe’s effect was acknowledged by Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman. Bowman kept a picture of Thorpe breaking the world record in the 400-meter freestyle during the Olympics in Sydney. For Phelps, this picture was a regular source of inspiration. Thorpe’s powerful dolphin kick was one of the techniques Phelps and Bowman studied together, and Phelps used it in his training routines.

Michael Phelps’s thoughts on rivalry with Australian icon

The Olympics in Athens in 2004 were the root of Phelps’ thinking on Thorpe. By then, Phelps had caught up to Thorpe, having beaten him in the 2003 World Championships 200-meter individual medley. However, to succeed further, Phelps had to become an expert in Thorpe’s signature event, the 200-meter freestyle. In the 200-meter freestyle final in Athens, Phelps set an American record but came in third and Thorpe won gold. As it featured legends like Pieter van den Hoogenband and Grant Hackett, this moment was vital to Phelps’s career.

Phelps’ historic performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was sparked by the loss in Athens. Phelps watched recordings of Thorpe’s races to gain insight into the tactics and style of his opponent. When Thorpe retired in 2006, his effect on Phelps stayed. Phelps’ drive, motivated by Thorpe, was apparent when he broke the 200-meter freestyle world record in Beijing.

Phelps took inspiration from Thorpe’s remarks. Thorpe had previously stated, “I don’t think he will do it but I’d love to see it.“ Thorpe doubted Phelps’ potential for achieving eight gold medals in Beijing, but Phelps kept those quotations on display in his locker as a daily inspiration. Ian’s remarks, hanging Phelps noted, “Every day when I’d open that locker, it was the first thing I’d see, that article, Ian’s words, dangling there.”

Phelps continued with motivation, saying, “Every day when I’d close that locker door, that fluttering piece of paper served as a reminder of the many doubters.“ However, Phelps’ record-breaking eight gold medals in 2008 were the result of this rivalry, which drove him to new heights. Phelps held the record for most medals won by an Olympian before he ever competed in the Rio Olympics in 2016. Nonetheless, he could still clearly recall the rivalry and the inspiration it brought.

Phelps praised the Australian team’s strong competition in Rio, recalling his early struggles against Thorpe. “The Australians have made a significant charge… It kind of brings me back to the memories of Thorpe and Hackett,“ stated Phelps, highlighting the long-lasting effects of his competition with Thorpe. Thus, the motivation for Michael Phelps’ rise to fame was his concealed binding with Ian Thorpe. Phelps was driven to become the world’s greatest swimmer and, eventually, the greatest Olympian in history by this rivalry, characterized by mutual respect and intense competition.