“They Have My Upper-Body Strength”: Michael Phelps’ Dad, Who Was a Former College Football Player Once Took Credit for His Children’s Physical Advantage in the Pool

Michael Phelps is a name synonymous with a gigantic wingspan, enormous lactic threshold, and multiple world records. The Baltimore Bullet won 28 medals in the Olympics, making him the most decorated Olympian in history. Ever since Phelps was a junior, his body dynamics have always been a topic of discussion among swimming fans.

Phelps first participated in the Olympic games when he was just 15 years old. Even though Phelps did not win a medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the world was aware of the potential that he had. At that time, Phelps was the youngest swimmer to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years.

Michael Phelps and his incredible body dynamics

Michael displayed his incredible skills on the international stage ever since he was a junior athlete. Analysts came up with their conclusions about why he was faster and better than his contemporaries. They claimed that Phelps had a physical and biological advantage over his contemporaries. However, these claims remain unproven.

Phelps has a massive torso, and his legs in comparison are not so long. They believed that these features helped Michael ace through the races. Without a doubt, big hands, big feet, and broad shoulders help swimmers in paddling through the water quickly. Phelps’s father, in an interview, said that Michael and his sister got all these features from him.

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Michael as well as his sisters, Hilary, and Whitney possess the same upper body strength and muscular features. “I like to think they have my upper-body strength,” said Michael’s dad, Fred Phelps, a former college football player, taking credit for his children’s physical advantage in the pool.

Michael’s relationship with his father

Michael Phelps and his father’s bond was not like a normal father and son relationship. The champion swimmer was raised by his mother Deborah Phelps ever since his parents had divorced. Michael was nine years old, when his parents parted ways. The Olympic gold medalist swimmer, revealed in an interview that he had not spoken to his father for about twenty years.

Phelp’s father was away for a major part of his life. Michael met and had a conversation with his father after twenty years during his recovery program. His therapist had suggested having the conversation, as it would rekindle their relationship. The conversation helped Michael open up and free his mind from thoughts that were trapped for the past 20 years. Phelps revealed that he was now in talking terms with his father.

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Throughout his career, Michael has been an incredible inspiration to the youth and continues to motivate future generations.