Top 10 greatest moments in Michael Phelps’ career

Michael Phelps is considered by many to be the best Olympian of all time. He has won a total of 28 medals, including 23 gold medals. Considering that, we examine the top five highlights of Michael Phelps.


Top 10 greatest moments in Michael Phelps’ career

Michael Phelps [Image Credit- Imago]

When it comes to Olympic accomplishments, he has no equal and is the greatest Olympian of all time. This also makes him the most successful athlete ever. Despite his career’s great success, he has had certain setbacks or failures.

Michael Phelps will be honored and recognized for his achievements by being accepted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. The below moments hold significant importance in Michael Phelps’ professional journey.

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Below is the list of the top 10 iconic Michael Phelps moments during his career in swimming. Even after retiring, the GOAT is celebrated worldwide, but let’s take a glimpse of the past once again.

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Related: Michael Phelps once RAVED about Tiger Woods’ incredible resilience following recovery from 2021 car accident

Top 10 iconic Michael Phelps moment

Outperforming Ryan Lochte during the 2012 trials held in Omaha

Michael Phelps (Image via X/twitter)
Michael Phelps (Image via X/twitter)

Michael Phelps considers this significant occurrence as a noteworthy memory, as it effectively conveyed a message to the global community. I have returned for more. Despite not aiming to win 8 additional medals in London, Michael Phelps successfully qualified for all of them and outperformed his rival Ryan Lochte in three out of four events they participated in together. Despite Lochte’s success as a swimmer in recent years, Phelps showcased his indisputable superiority by outperforming him in British waters.

19-year-old Michael Phelps arrested for driving while intoxicated

Michael Phelps[Image Credit-
Esquire]
Michael Phelps[Image Credit- Esquire]

In 2004, a popular swimmer made a big mistake. Disregarding a stop sign, he was apprehended for driving under the influence at the young age of 19. Michael Phelps expressed numerous apologies and genuinely felt remorseful for his actions. However, it quickly became very popular after he won six gold medals in Athens.

Winning the Athens 100 fly by just .04 seconds over Ian Crocker

Michael Phelps[Image Credit- CBS News]
Michael Phelps[Image Credit- CBS News]

Before the 2004 Athens Olympics, Ian Crocker, a member of our team, held the world record in the 100-meter butterfly. Despite being a teenager, Michael Phelps outpaced him and secured a victory with a minimal margin of just four-hundredths of a second. Phelps then set a new Olympic record with a time of 51.25 seconds. Four years later in Beijing, he managed to break that record.

Athens 400 IM world record, first gold medal

Michael Phelps[Image Credit- NPR]
Michael Phelps[Image Credit- NPR]

Michael Phelps enthusiastically seized the chance to savor his initial triumph. Athens witnessed his impressive skills in the 400-meter individual medley. He set a world record by finishing in 4:08.26 seconds to win his first Olympic event. His 13 victories haven’t deterred him from pursuing further success.

Offering away position to Ian Crocker in the Athens 4×100 relay

Michael Phelps[Image Credit- Swimming World]
Michael Phelps[Image Credit- Swimming World]

Despite not participating in the final race of the 4×100 medley relay in Athens, Michael Phelps’s performance during that event remains one of his most memorable achievements. After competing in the preliminary round, the 19-year-old opted to surrender his place in the race to Ian Crocker, who is his senior.

Despite the team’s victory, Crocker’s career only resulted in a single gold medal. Not only did Michael Phelps receive a medal for his performance in the prelims, but he also displayed exceptional skill in allowing others to shine and sharing recognition with them.

Picture leaks showing Michael Phelps hitting the peace pipe during Bong-Gate

Michael Phelps[Image Credit- Los Angeles Times]
Michael Phelps[Image Credit- Los Angeles Times]

How can someone covertly capture an image of you, smoking marijuana, when you are considered among the most renowned athletes globally?  Michael Phelps was caught in 2009, with a photo surfacing of him using an exceptionally large bong. As a consequence, there was a three-month hiatus from swimming tournaments, and an opportunity with Kellogg’s was forfeited.

Despite goggles malfunctioning, Michael Phelps set a world record in 200 fly

Michael Phelps[Image Credit- MensXP]
Michael Phelps[Image Credit- MensXP]

You will adore this if you enjoyed watching Michael Jordan make a free throw while closing his eyes. Phelps’ vision was obstructed during the second part of the 100-meter butterfly race in Beijing due to water filling his eyewear. Although he didn’t become frightened, he still accomplished a world record. Although the goggles may not hold the same value as the bong, Michael Phelps could potentially support his foundation financially by auctioning them off, if he still possesses them.

4×100 medley relay at Beijing

Michael Phelps [Image Credit- NBC Sports]
Michael Phelps [Image Credit- NBC Sports]

Michael Phelps emerged victorious with his eighth gold medal in Beijing. In addition, a new world record was set by the American 4×100 medley relay team in this race. Throughout the entire duration, it was they who held the reins, leaving the swimming domain perpetually astounded as their remarkable mastery remained unchallenged throughout this unprecedented Olympic spectacle.

The closest victory of Michael Phelps was a .01 victory in Beijing over Milorad Cavic

Michael Phelps [Image Credit- 
Fresherslive]
Michael Phelps [Image Credit- Fresherslive]

Big events can happen very quickly in history. Phelps came very close to losing his shot at winning eight gold medals in Beijing, with just a gap 01 of a second. Phelps emerged victorious by a slender margin over Cavic in the 100-meter butterfly competition at the Water Cube.

Jason Lezak’s heroic finish wins the relay

Michael Phelps [Image Credit- GQ]
Michael Phelps [Image Credit- GQ]

Jason Lezak’s heroism was unexpected by everyone. During the Olympic relay race in Beijing, it was the old veteran who swam the most exhilarating part. Despite initially falling behind, he skillfully overtook the French team and emerged victorious with a record-breaking time of 46 seconds.

With the aid of his eight gold medals, Phelps accomplished a tremendous feat and sparked a wild celebration by the pool. Lezak mirrored the extraordinary tales of people lifting cars to free those trapped under them or Kirk Gibson’s unwavering resolve to hit a home run in 1988, as he too accessed an incredible resilience that had a timeless influence on history.

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