Deseret News archives: Is Michael Phelps the greatest Summer Olympian ever?
On this day in 2012, Phelps won his 18th gold medal. But it wasn’t his final swimming event after all.
Deseret News archives delve into the career of Michael Phelps, the United States' swimming sensation who has amassed an impressive 22 Olympic medals, including 18 golds. Phelps made his Olympic debut at the age of 15 at the Sydney Games in 2000, quickly establishing himself as a dominant force in swimming. His career reached new heights at the Athens Games in 2004, where he won six gold and two bronze medals, setting a new record for the most gold medals won by a single Olympian at a single Games.
At the Beijing Games in 2008, Phelps broke his own record by winning eight gold medals, a feat that still stands today. His prowess continued in London 2012, where he secured eight more gold medals, making him the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps' legacy is further cemented by his participation in the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he added five more gold medals to his collection.
Despite retiring from competitive swimming, Phelps remains involved in the sport as a commentator for NBC during the swimming events in Paris.
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