Michael Phelps has etched his name in the world of swimming. The athlete is currently the most decorated swimmer with 23 Olympic gold medals under his name. However, interestingly, apart from the athlete’s staunch skills, Phelps has also hit the headlines frequently for his physical gifts, helping the 38-year-old get an edge over his competitors in the pool.

As Michael Phelps’ distinctive physical traits continue to capture attention, an intriguing fact about the legendary swimmer has surfaced. A fan made an interesting comparison between Phelps and Ethiopian track and field athlete Haile Gebrselassie on social media. This revelation has ignited excitement among both athletics and swimming enthusiasts.

A shocking fact comes to light

On September 26, a swimming fan posted an intriguing fact on X. According to the tweet, “I love that these two men—Michael Phelps and Haile Gebrselassie—have legs exactly the same length, although Michael Phelps is a foot taller.” Michael Phelps is 6’4”, while Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie is only 5 feet, 5 inches tall. Interestingly, sprinters with long limbs can cover more distance per stride.

On the other hand, in the world of swimming, Michael Phelps’ 6’4” body has also given him an advantage in gliding in the water. The athlete boasts an impressive arm span of 6’7”, which serves as a natural advantage, acting like oars and granting him enhanced propulsion in the water. This remarkable wingspan has played a crucial role in the Olympian’s mastery of the butterfly stroke, as this technique heavily relies on arm strength.

The swimming G.O.A.T. also possesses a triangle-shaped torso, which allows him to smoothly navigate through the water while executing the butterfly stroke. Interestingly, Phelps’ legs, despite being shorter than his upper body, are also highly hydrodynamic, aiding in efficient turns at the pool walls. However, his elongated physique has also led to significant health challenges for the 38-year-old athlete. In his autobiography, Phelps revealed the life-threatening illness he experienced as a result of his unique physical attributes.

Michael Phelps reveals the life dangers of his body anatomy

All his unique physical attributes have helped Michael Phelps gain an edge while competing. However, in his autobiography, the athlete revealed that due to his long feet and flexibility, he had developed the symptoms of Marfan syndrome. This disorder can affect the connective tissues of the body. According to Phelps,” If you reach out your arms and form a T, you can be at risk for the disorder.”

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However, the athlete who had treated the syndrome before its progression, revealed in his book, “Fortunately, everything was and still is okay; I have been tested once a year ever since.” All in all, despite the setbacks and advantages that come with these physical attributes, both Michael Phelps and Haile Gebrselassie, through their dedication to their sport, have etched their names in history.

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