“This Is Michael’s Summer”: Michael Phelps’ Mother Declined Huge Career Opportunity in 2004 to Support Legend’s Swimming Career

Michael Phelps took part in five Olympic games. From the Olympics to international championships, Phelps won well 100 medals. However, ‘The most decorated Olympian’ wouldn’t be where he is today without the sacrifices of his mother, Debbie. In her book, ‘A Mother for All Seasons: A Memoir,’ Mrs. Phelps spoke about passing up on a huge opportunity to help Michael realize his Olympic dream.

During the 2004 Olympics, all eyes were on the young prospect, Michael Phelps. However, the swimmer’s mother believed in him long before anyone else and wanted to be by her son’s side every step of the way. Even if it meant sacrificing her own career.

Passing up the principal’s post

Just before the 2004 Olympic trials, Debie Phelps passed up on a huge career opportunity to help her son. Dr. Joe Hairston, the first African American superintendent of Baltimore County’s public schools and a national spokesperson said, “Debbie, I’m appointing you principal of Woodland Middle School.” Debie’s joy wouldn’t last long because the next thing Hairston said was, “You’ll report on July first”; Debie responded with, “I know I can do that job and I am honored that you believe in me. But I can’t accept.”

Debie then explained that she had to attend the Olympic trials with Michael at Long Beach and then, hopefully, the Olympic Games in Athens. She also expressed that she believed Michael would make history and that, “I need to be there. This is Michael’s summer.” While Dr. Joe tried to convince Debie to join the post after she returned, Debie firmly declined.

The future Olympic legend‘s mother refused to divide her attention. However, she still had hope because Hairston, after a short silence, said, “You go to Athens, Debbie, and when you come back, we’ll talk.”

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Just as the Super-Mom thought, Michael made his mark during the 2004 Olympic games. The Baltimore Bullets won eight medals at the games. Phelps didn’t break Mark Spitz’s record, but this was only the beginning of an illustrious career. Dr. Joe, had also kept his word, as he later appointed Phelps’ mother as principal of Windsor Mill School. 

Michael Phelps at Athens 2004

Debie was right when she told Dr. Joe that Michael would make history at Athens. She wrote that Michael Phelps’ 2004 Olympic games, “was just about perfect”. Phelps won six golds and two bronze medals. The ‘Flying Fish’ also set Olympic Records in the 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, and 200m medley. However, not just Olympic records but Phelps also set the world record during the 400m individual medley.

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Athens was just the beginning of the 23-time gold medalist’s historic Olympic career. With his family’s undivided support and sacrifices made by Debie Phelps, Michael became an Olympic hero. Michael Phelps is a name that no one will forget, and for that, Debie Phelps deserves just as much credit as the swimmer himself.