“Pitch to Barry Bonds, Guard Michael Jordan..at Their Best”: Michael Phelps Cited Sports Legends to Justify His Decision to Compete Ian Thorpe

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in the history of the games. He showed massive potential ever since he was an amateur swimmer. Phelps always talked about achieving greatness in his interviews. Crediting coach Bob Bowman for his discipline and fighting spirit, Phelps believes that a great coach is required to build a strong foundation.

Notably, it was Phelps’ exceptional comeback to the Rio Olympics that is considered the highlight of his career. Michael Phelps is an inspiration to everyone who is facing adversities in life and looking for a moment of a comeback. He achieved legendary status in the sport by accomplishing something which has never been achieved.

Michael Phelps competes with a swimming legend

Michael Phelps has never shunned away from the competition. His coach, Bob Bowman made him compete with swimmers who were better than him, ever since he was a junior swimmer. Bob believed that stiff competition would make him a better swimmer. Michael has mentioned all such instances in his book ‘Beneath the Surface’. Phelps recalled a moment after his team stood third in the 4×100 freestyle relay during his Olympics debut.

Michael had qualified for the finals in the 200-meter freestyle event where he would have to compete against the legend, Ian Thorpe. But, people recommended him to avoid competing in the final. Regardless, Phelps did not agree with their recommendation and said,” I might not succeed, but I wouldn’t want to spend my career training every day without measuring myself against the best.”

DIVE DEEPER: “Nobody Could Beat Him”- Michael Phelps’ Diminishing Dominance Decoded by Coach Bob Bowman 

Describing what would be his mode of action if he was a player of other sports.” I’d want to pitch to Barry Bonds, guard Michael Jordan, sidestep Ray Lewis, or stop Wayne Gretzky when they were at their best,” he said, citing sports legends to justify his decision to compete against Ian Thorpe before he retired.

Coach Bowman and Phelps

Michael has always described coach Bowman as a disciplinarian and a staunch motivator. Moreover, he had the mindset that hard work with dedication and discipline can take you to unbelievable heights. Coach Bowman made discipline run through Michael’s veins ever since he was a young swimmer.

Phelps even revealed in an interview how he trained for five years straight without a day off. He did not even skip practice on his birthday or any holiday. “It is just not wanting to lose, wanting to do something no one has never done before”, he said explaining the logic behind such a tough routine.

WATCH THIS STORY: Resurfaced video shows Michael Phelps Race of the century with Ian Thorpe, Pieter Van Den Hoogenband’s at 2004 Athens Olympics

Michael’s race at the Olympics with Ian Thorpe is often considered one of the greatest races of all time in the history of the competition. All in all, Phelps is simply amazing.