Michael Phelps is the greatest Olympian of all time and a real inspiration to millions around the world. The 37-year-old has collected a total of 28 medals at the Games, not to mention a cabinet full of World Championship medals too.
He’s been in the spotlight for many years and even since retirement, we all want to know what the Flying Fish is up to and all about his life.
There’s plenty we already know about the American, but what about the things we may not know?
Here are five facts you may never have known about Michael Phelps without reading this article…
He has ADHD
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Phelps was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder when he was in sixth grade and is a great example of how to channel his energy and turn a disorder into a positive.
He’s spoken out often about ADHD and how it made him better in the pool and a major part of his success.
He’s suffered with addiction
Phelps has also had battles with addiction during his career and is one of a number of sport stars to seek help and come back to their sport at the top of their game.
It’s another part of his personality that has proven to be hugely inspirational. He struggled with both alcohol and drugs and sought out private rehab before entering recovery, where he has remained ever since. His ordeal has encouraged many more to seek out the treatment they need.
His wingspan is larger than his height
Phelps certainly had the right physique and build for swimming, with the athlete’s wingspan longer than his height. The superstar stands at 1.93m, while his wingspan is a staggering 2.01m.
If that’s not all, he’s got size 14 feet!
He’s set 39 world records!
He’s the greatest for a reason and over his career he broke a breathtaking 39 world records. Of course, many of those records were indeed his own at the peak of his powers, and many are still in place to this day.
He’s 32nd in the all-time Olympic medal charts – if he were a country!
Finally, if Michael Phelps was a country, the number of medals he’s won would put him 32nd in the all-time table, winning more medals than the likes of Nigeria, the Bahamas and Lithuania.
