21 Years After Michael Phelps Saving the Sport, Swimming Community Raises Dual-Meet Stakes With a Fullhouse Attendance

Michael Phelps is the undisputed ruler of the swimming world even after retiring from the sport. Many of his records still remain unbroken, touting his unparalleled dominance in the genre. With a total of 28 medals to his name, Michael Phelps is still the most decorated swimmer in the world. Even now, the Swimming GOAT is capable of filling any room, auditorium, and arena just by making an appearance. Thus, it should come as no surprise that when fans learned of his participation in the Arizona State swim meet in 2016, they thronged the venue in hordes.

For Michael Phelps, 2016 was a special year in his long and illustrious career. He had decided to compete in the Olympic Games for the last time and wanted to make it memorable for the fans. He gave a little preview of his hot run at the college that would later earn him five Olympic golds.

Michael Phelps teases 2016 Olympic greatness at ASU swimming showdown

The ASU vs. Arizona dual meet is a major event on the swimming calendar. In the Bob Bowman era, it was even more iconic since the Baltimore Bullet had been designed to swim locally for the first time. It created an electrifying atmosphere, one that the 2,000 lucky spectators will never forget. Recently, they got to relive that moment when Braden Keith wrote an X post reminding everyone of the historic meet. He wrote, “Arizona State dual meet in 2016 vs. Arizona darn near filled up the 2,000 seat Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. This was before the Sun Devils got good, but the men’s team did beat their rivals for the first time since 2002. This was 5 months before the Olympics, and Michael Phelps was racing, so that was the primary draw (in addition to the big rivalry meet)”.

The palpable tension between the swimmers of the rival colleges heated the ideal 73-degree weather in Arizona. However, Arizona had a big advantage with the Olympic champion joining their ranks. True to his talent, Phelps helped the Sun Devil men win the meet for the first time since 2002. After the race, the swimming legend addressed the crowd, saying, “The interest people have in swimming and the ASU program is insane…It’s amazing how much attention and excitement we’ve been able to bring”. This was in keeping with Michael Phelps’ central tenet that drove him initially into competitive swimming.

Michael Phelps wants swimming to grow

In 2008, Michael Phelps revealed his first ambition for competitive swimming. He said he wants to make big splashes by virtue of earning medals and making records. These would serve to draw more attention of the public to the sport. In an interview with Karen Crouse of The New York Times, he said, “My whole goal is to change the sport of swimming in a positive way…I think it can go even farther. That’s where I hope to take it”. Even now, he is an advocate for the sport and the athletes, trying to rid swimming of the shackles that keep it down.

Read More: Father Of Three, Michael Phelps Hints at Pregnancy With First-Ever Baby Bump Picture Of Wife During USC Game

Michael Phelps is now the biggest spokesperson for mental health issues dragging athletes down. He is campaigning for the Sports Federation to provide more support to athletes and cater to their physical and mental needs. He truly is a sportsman worthy of reverence.

Watch this story: “It was Insane”: Swimming Legend Michael Phelps Proclaims the “Best Relay of All Time” While Getting Nostalgia