WATCH: Shaquille O’Neal Once Nearly Defeated Michael Phelps in an Intense Swimming Show Down

Michael Phelps is inarguably the greatest Olympian in history. With 28 Olympic medals, he stands alone as the most decorated Olympian of all time.

On the other hand, 4-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal is certainly one of the most dominant NBA players ever. Thus, it was quite a sight to withhold when the two dominant athletes of their respective sports went head-to-head in a swimming contest.

Of course, to keep things a little balanced, Shaq started the ‘swim-off’ with a one-lap head-start.

Michael Phelps Vs Shaquille O’Neal in a swim-off

Shaquille O’Neal, in his TV series titled ‘Shaq VS,’ had decided to enter a swimming race with Michael Phelps. After all, the premise of his show was to pit him against the most dominant athletes across other sports.

Of course, going up against the most elite swimmer the world ever saw would have anyone scampering for an advantage. Thus, it came as no surprise when Shaq decided to start the race off with a lap’s head start.

If Michael Phelps was indeed the greatest swimmer ever, he would have no problems beating O’Neal despite his bonus head-start. Moreover, at the time, Michael Phelps was also nursing a leg injury. So, he certainly was a good sport for going ahead with the contest.

“I saw your tape baby,” Shaq tried trash-talking Michael before their race. “I know your every move, I know your form,” the Big Diesel said, trying to intimidate the 23-time Olympic gold medalist.

Shaq battled Michael once in the races leading up to the final showdown. While Phelps had to cover the length of the pool twice, Shaq had to do it once. However, to keep it from being completely lopsided, Shaquille O’Neal waited for five whole seconds while Michael Phelps covered two-thirds of the pool in that time.

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Ultimately. Shaq won the first contest. However, when it came time for the final swim contest, Phelps came out ready to play. This time, both of them started off at the same time, with Phelps having 25 yards extra or one lap to cover.

Despite the handicap, Phelps covered the pool extremely fast, while O’Neal himself was giving it everything he had. In the final moments of the race, it boiled down to the very last second as Phelps chased O’Neal. In the end, both men finished the race in a close shave with only 0.17 seconds separating the two.

Phelps won by less than half a second

Michael Phelps emerged as the victor from his contest against Shaquille O’Neal as the stadium thundered with applause. Phelps himself floated in the water with his arms raised high and a grin plastered over his face.

“Good job man,” Shaq said to Phelps, shaking his head in disbelief as the Olympic swimmer chuckled. “Mike, you are the greatest,” O’Neal said to Michael, shaking his hand in the interview after the contest.

Furthermore, he still had one last trick up his sleeve to please the crowd. As the crowd chanted for a Shaq cannonball, O’Neal delivered, climbing to the diving board and jumping into the water for a massive cannonball.

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