Michael Phelps is an American swimmer who has won 28 Olympic medals, including 23 gold medals, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time. He was born in 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland and began swimming competitively at age 7, holding a national record by age 10. At the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2016 Olympics, Phelps won multiple gold medals in individual events and relays, setting numerous world records in the process. He is considered the greatest swimmer of all time.

1. Nick DiMuzio and Carolyn Cover Michael Phelps

2. BACKGROUND Michael Phelps was born on June 30, 1985 He grew up in the Rodgers Forge area of Baltimore, Maryland

3. FAMILY Fred Phelps, his father, worked as a policeman for the Maryland State Police His mother, Debbie, was a middle school principle Michael had two sisters named Whitney and Hilary who were both swimmers

4. YOUTH As a kid, Michael was diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder) He started swimming at age seven, influenced by both his mother and his two sisters By the age of 10, he held a national record for his age group

5. Physique Michael Phelps stands at 6’4” weighing 195 pounds His arm span of 6 feet 7 inches and foot size of 14 greatly contribute to his swimming talent He also told the press that he consumes 8000 to 10000 Calories a day while training

6. 2000 Olympics He competed in his first Olympics at age 15, in Sydney, Australia in 2000 He was the youngest American male swimmer in 68 years He was also the youngest man to set a swimming world record

7. 2004 Olympics 2004 Olympics were in Athens, Greece He won four individual gold metals, tying Mark Spitz record for individual gold metals

8. 2007 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS At Melbourne, Australia, Michael won seven gold medals, tying Mark Spitz He also broke five world records He would have won eight, breaking Spitz’s record but his relay disqualified

9. 2008 Beijing In Beijing, China, Phelps qualified for eight events and he won them all

10. Records Phelps broke 32 world records, closely behind Mark Spitz’s all-time record of 33 He is also close behind Tracy Caulkin’s record of 48 national titles with 38 titles

11. Publicity Phelps was featured in a Guitar Hero commercial along with A-Rod, Tony Hawk, and Kobe Bryant Kellogg's also sponsored Michael by putting on the front of their Corn Flakes box

12. Magazine Covers Phelps has been featured on many popular magazine covers such as Sports Illustrated and Time

13. Controversy In 2004, Phelps was stopped by a Maryland State trooper and charged of a DUI bust In early 2009, he was caught smoking with a bong and it was publicized in a British Tabloid, News of the World

14. Punishment After the bong incident, he was banned swimming competitively for three months by USA swimming Kellogg's also announced that they would not renew his endorsement contract

15. Future Future plans for Phelps include trying a new stroke in the 2012 Olympics in London He also plans to spend more time with his family, especially his mom, the person he says he loves the most

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