‘Disappointed’ Michael Phelps wants Team USA Swimming to level up after Paris Olympics debacle
Michael Phelps is not happy with USA Swimming at Paris Olympics and wants them to level up before Los Angeles Olympics.
Follow Us
Michael Phelps disappointed with USA Swimming results at Paris Olympics (Image via SPORT Bible/X)
Up until the past few years, swimming as a sport was dominated mostly by the USA. However, at the Paris Olympics, the tide has shifted not only towards Australia but also to countries beyond the United States. So much so that nations around the world are training swimmers with advanced techniques and dietary plans specifically to take on and beat the Americans. It’s a situation Michael Phelps is not happy with, especially with the Los Angeles Olympics coming up next.
The most decorated Olympian of all time spoke with USA Today while at the Paris Olympics. When asked about his opinion on how his fellow countrymen and women performed in swimming, he made his disappointment known.
For me, as a whole, I was pretty disappointed to see the U.S. swimming results. One of the things that I’ve always said the last few years is the rest of the world is catching up. I think a lot of the things that we’ve done as a country for so long, the other people are catching up. They’re doing the same thing. Hopefully, we’re able to make that transition leading into 2028.Michael Phelps said
Michael Phelps was clear that his country and its swimming program needs to be better. Not only were they disappointing at the Paris Olympics, but it also does not bode well for the future.
He mentioned that other nations have caught up, particularly with the way they have been breaking records. That was evident as most of the individual gold medal winners in various swimming events were from other countries.
This indicates that something that used to be a hallmark of US Swimming is no longer as apparent. As they head into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it would greatly benefit them to focus on developing their swimmers.
Michael Phelps saw other swimmers take center stage
Michael Phelps is still in Paris. Even though the swimming events are over, as part of the official US delegation, he is still attending and enjoying other sports at the games. That said, he was present at the swimming events, watching and taking in all the action.
Therefore, he was on hand to see his former trainer’s pupil, Leon Marchand, break records and win four gold medals. Three of them were in individual events. He then saw Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle break the 100m freestyle world record comfortably.
He also saw swimmers from other nations routinely win medals—all that whereas the likes of Caeleb Dressel disappointed. Therefore, the USA swimming needs drastic improvements if they are to hold their ground. Else the embarrassment on home soil will be too much to take.
In case you missed:
- VIDEO: Boyfriend gets proposed at Paris Olympics after girlfriend athlete breaks record in 3000m race
- LeBron James and Team USA have a ‘higher level’ WARNS insider
Stay Updated!
Joseph Varghese
(2265 Articles Published)