Michael Phelps: Most decorated Olympian of all time

michael phelpsMichael Fred Phelps (born June 30,1985) is a American competition swimmer and  the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 22 medals in three Olympiads. And also has all-time record for Olympic gold medals (18 gold medals to his name).

Phelps announced that he was going back into training and will be competing at the Rio Olympics 2016. Michael Phelps staggeringly qualified in three individual distances plus possibly three relays for the US Olympic swimming team at the trails in Omaha.

Michael Phelps, the American swimming legend recently swam the fastest 200m individual medley, 100m butterfly and 200m butterfly times of the year at the 2015 US national championship. Michael Phelps holds an amazing world record for 100m butterfly (49.82 sec), 200m butterfly (1:51.51 sec), 400m individual medley (4:03.84 sec) and 4x100m medley (3:08.24) relay and 4x200m freestyle (6:58.55) relays.

Phelps can be defined in simple words "From the moment of his plunge in the pool to his audacity of performance and routine of winning characterizes Michael Phelps". This will be Michael Phelps 5th Olympics and one final challenge at Rio 2016. An young extraordinary swimmer who made his debut at the age of 15 for America in swimming.

At the age of 15, his 1st Olympics games in Sydney 2000, when he finished 5th in 200m butterfly in finals. Reflecting that achievement, the ever demanding swimmer said "It was a great, I was fifth that's a pretty big accomplishment. But I didn't want it. I wanted more. I was within half a second of medaling it was literally, if I would have taken it out a little faster, may be I would have a chance.

"There are reasons why I swam every holiday, every Christmas, every birthday" addede Phelps, explaining why he was the most dedicated of swimmers. " I was trying to be prepared as I could really do and what all my potential was.I just really did kind of whatever it took".

After that Phelps had won five world titles by the time he opened his Olympics account at Athens 2004. Competing in 8 events, he took gold in 100m, 200m butterfly, 200m and 400m individual medley and 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relay with USA teammates as well as bronze in 200m freestyle. After 2004 Olympics came A GOLDEN EIGHT IN BEIJING, where in Beijing 2008 Olympics he took gold in all eight events he contested, a feat a precedent in any sport of the Games.

Topping the podium in 100m and 200m butterfly 200m freestyle, 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 4x100 and 4x200m freestyle relay, 4x100m medley relay, the voracious Phelps posted seven world records and an Olympic record in the 100m butterfly.

In making his fourth Olympic appearance at london 2012, where he announced his pending retirement after London Olympics, Phelps became first male swimmer to win the 100m butterfly and 200m individual medley titles at three consecutive games. As well as 4x200m freestyle relay, Phelps took silver in 200m butterfly and 4x100m freestyle before landing his 18th Olympic gold in the 4x100 medley.

As 2016 Rio Olympic being his last challenge Phelps will try to addup some more to his account and will be an athlete to watch out during Olympics in swimming events.