Phelps dives into post-competition career
Print Edition
FAMILY man Michael Phelps denied the possibility of a comeback to the pool during a recent trip to Shanghai with his wife and son.
“After two and three years of training, I managed to come back to the top. Being able to do that was exactly how I wanted to finish my career,” the 23-time Olympic gold medalist said during a promotional event at a downtown Under Armour store. He was accompanied by wife Nicole and son Boomer, both of whom were visiting China for the first time.
“Everyone keeps asking me about (whether I’ll take part in the next Olympics in) 2020,” said Phelps. “But this truly is the best way for me to finish, and the way I wanted to finish back in 2012. Being able to come back, put in everything I had in the past few years and finish my career my way, that’s all I wanted.”
Describing his career as incredible, Phelps said few realize just how much he’s had to sacrifice to get to where he is now.
“I wanted to do something nobody had ever done before. I wanted to become the first Michael Phelps, and I knew it had to cost something different that other people wouldn’t be willing to do. When I was 5 or 6, I did not miss a single day of working out, no matter if it was Christmas, holiday or birthday. I was willing to make the sacrifice when I was a kid.
“Nobody really saw what I was doing to get myself ready. Looking through the past, it’s not always that fun, but you have to be willing to sacrifice, be hard working and dedicated. And of course I have good friends to thank, who supported me and helped me to get through hard times.”
Phelps married Nicole, a former Miss California, secretly in June, one month after the birth of their son. Looking contented and relaxed in the company of his family, the 31-year-old had obviously shifted his focus from the pool, but will surely remain an ambassador for the sport of swimming.
“There are things that I plan to continue to do, like to get more kids to the water, and to love the sport, to build the brand of (Michael Phelps), work with Special Olympics worldwide. There are other things I want to do too. This is the beginning of another chapter of my life.”
“Boomer will learn how to swim,” Phelps said when asked whether his son will take over from him.
“If he chooses to swim, that’s his choice and I will be supportive. If you want to swim and break daddy’s records, go ahead; I would love to see it.”
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