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Why did Michael Phelps retire?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 17, 2026

American competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian ever, Michael Phelps, after having issues with alcohol, decided to retire so as to focus on personal goals. Phelps now has his own brand of swimwear and training gear.

Why did Michael Phelps end his career?

Phelps returned to the pool to win two more golds – in the 100-metre butterfly and 4x100m medley to end with six medals at the event, making him the most successful swimmer for the third Olympics in a row. He announced his retirement after the 2012 Olympics, claiming that he was 'done with the sport'.

Did Michael Phelps quit Olympics?

In 2016, after adding another five Olympic gold medals to his personal collection at the Rio Games, Michael Phelps paid a visit to TODAY and announced his retirement from competitive swimming, saying, “(I'm) done, done, done — and this time I mean it.”

Why did Michael Phelps retire 2012?

When Michael Phelps came to London for the 2012 Summer Games, he had 14 Olympic gold medals. He's leaving with 18 and a record 22 overall. And now he's retiring at 27, leaving the sport in which he always said he wanted to do things that had never been done before.

Did Michael Phelps retire and come back?

Phelps originally retired from the sport following the 2012 Olympic Games, but later came out of retirement and competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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Is Phelps competing in 2021?

Will you see Phelps at the 2021 games? The answer to that is yes, if the camera turns around in NBC's broadcasting booth. The Athletic's Richard Deitsch reported that Phelps will be joining Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines in the booth for several events during the games.

Why did Michael Phelps retire in 2016?

After having issues with alcohol, he focused on a new goal: ending his career the right way in Rio. Before that, Phelps had won eight medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, eight medals again (all gold) in Beijing in 2008 and six in London in 2012, for a total of 28 medals (23 gold).

Does Michael Phelps still hold any world records?

Michael Phelps is also the long course world record holder in the men's 400m Individual Medley, the current longest-standing swimming world record on the books. Moreover, he is the former long course world record holder in the 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 200m Butterfly, and 200m Individual Medley.

What is the Michael Phelps diet?

For lunch, he would have half-kilogram of pasta, two large ham and cheese sandwiches on white bread smothered with mayonnaise, and another set of energy drinks. Whereas for dinner, add a pound of pasta with carbonara sauce, a large pizza, and energy drinks.

Why did bolt retire?

It was at the 2017 Worlds in London where Bolt sustained a serious hamstring injury that was instrumental in forcing his retirement. The athlete was the anchor runner for Jamaica in the final and Bolt pulled up with 50m remaining with a serious muscular tear.

Does Michael Phelps drink caffeine?

Phelps seem to have a truly amazing tolerance for caffeine. Michael's medium—ahem, Venti—drink contains four shots of espresso, while Nicole's tall coffee has three. That's a lot of caffeine to consume in one day, let alone one sitting.

Is Michael Phelps vegan?

The strongest swimmer the world has ever seen weighs just under 200 pounds and fuels up on a mostly plant-based diet. Phelps reportedly eats 12,000 calories a day–that's 4,000 calories per meal, and most of those calories are pizza and pasta.

What is Michael Phelps 25 free time?

Phelps, who won eight Olympic medals four months after that 500 free swim in 2004, ended up bringing his best time down to 4:10.43 in January 2008, ranking him 25th all-time in the event.

How many pull ups can Michael Phelps do?

Other Phelps Stats:

Phelps could bang out 34 pull-ups consecutively, one of the top weight lifting exercises swimmers engage in.

Who is the fastest swimmer ever?

How fast can a human swim in mph? The fastest speed at which an individual can swim in the water is 6 mph (9.66 kph). Phelps attained a record of 6 mph (9.66 kph) in 2010 in freestyle swimming. The French swimmer Frederick Bousquet set a global record in swimming freestyle 164.04 ft (50 m) in a time of 20.94 seconds.

Why is Michael Phelps in Tokyo?

The 28 times Olympic medallist Michael Phelps is in Tokyo to serve as a primetime NBC correspondent.

Is Phelps at Tokyo?

Aside from his NBC gig, Phelps is in Tokyo as a businessman — pumping his swimwear line; doing appearances for Omega Timing, for whom he remains a spokesperson; and generally enjoying the fruits of being the “GOAT” in retirement.

Is Phelps in Tokyo?

STAMFORD, Conn. – July 19, 2021 – Michael Phelps, who has won more total Olympic medals (28) and gold medals (23) than anyone in history, will join the NBC Olympics team in Tokyo, it was announced today.

How much did Michael Phelps eat a day?

Michael Phelps: the most decorated Olympian, oldest man at 31 to win an individual gold, winner of 23 gold medals, and consumer of 12,000 calories a day. 12,000 calories. That's how many calories an average person eats in an entire week, but Michael Phelps eats it all in one day.

How many calories did Michael Phelps eat a day?

Consequently, trying to emulate the Phelps diet by consuming up to 12,000 calories a day in order to attain his physique would more than likely come to a wobbly end.

How many calories Michael Phelps burn?

The average weekend athlete burns about 200-700 calories an hour running on the treadmill, whereas Phelps probably burns 3,000 calories a day swimming.

How many calories would Michael Phelps eat?

YouTuber Will Tennyson, known for trying extreme lifestyle and fitness challenges, spent a day following an eating and training routine inspired by a rumor from the 2008 Beijing Olympics that Phelps ate up to 12,000 calories a day, six times what the average person needs.

What does Michael Phelps eat before a race?

In 2012, Phelps told KidsHealth.org that he began his race day with a simple breakfast, eating foods such as fruit, oatmeal and a bagel with cream cheese. His goal, he said, was to eat light. He avoided protein and loaded up on carbohydrates, “because it's easier for me to use that as energy,” he said.