Olympic champion Michael Phelps take on rivals, why he's skeptical of the Yi Shiwen doping rumors and his future plans.
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, said Monday that he really means it when he says he is retiring.
Michael Phelps will swim for more gold Friday at the 2012 Games, competing in the final individual race of his storied Olympic career. Meanwhile, attention will begin to shift to Olympic Stadium as the track and field competition gets under way.
Editor's note: Each week in "Apparently This Matters," CNN's Jarrett Bellini applies his warped sensibilities to trending topics in social media.
Former Olympian and chairman of the 2012 Olympics Sebastian Coe discusses Michael Phelps' legacy with Piers Morgan.
"I consider myself normal," Michael Phelps told Piers Morgan. "I've spent 20 years in the pool. I consider that something that's normal."
CNN.com web exclusive: Michael Phelps talks with CNN's Piers Morgan about his extreme dedication to training.
Ryan Lochte won the United States' first gold medal at the London Olympics with an outstanding performance in Saturday's 400m individual medley.
1. The United States will not lead the medal table in London. China, which didn't fully compete in the Olympics until 1984, will conquer the overall medal standings for the first time, completing its rise into sports superpower status. The Chinese led the Beijing Games with 51 golds, but the U.S. had 110 total medals to the host nation's 100 to top the table for the fourth straight Olympics.
How do you top eight gold medals in a single Olympics? Don't ask Michael Phelps, because he doesn't plan to try.
Now that the 2011 World Championships final of the men's 200-meter butterfly is history, we can all stop worrying about Michael Phelps' swimming fitness and start worrying about his golf game. In winning his fifth world title in what he calls his "bread and butter" event, Phelps looked strong and focused Wednesday, leaving one to wonder if the pastime that frequently distracted the 14-time Olympic gold medalist from the pool the last three years is now in complete shambles.
One of the biggest questions looming over the 2011 World Swimming Championships, set to begin in Shanghai on Sunday, was resolved on Thursday when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the world's fastest man in water, Cesar Cielo of Brazil, could defend his world titles in the 50- and 100-meter freestyles despite testing positive for the banned diuretic furosemide in May. (Though the immediate issue of eligibility has been put to rest, the controversy surrounding the CAS decision has surely just begun.)
The reality star goes on rumor patrol with PEOPLE
"It's just started. But they're really cute together," a source tells PEOPLE
A giant of the track and field world passed away last week, when Hal Connolly died at age 79. Connolly won the gold medal in the hammer throw at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, then continued a lengthy career of distinction, competing in three more Olympics and missing out on a fourth at the 1972 Olympic trials. Over his career he broke the world record in the event six times over a period that lasted more than nine years. His final record-breaking throw in 1965 sailed 233 feet, nine inches. Years later, Connolly admitted to using steroids during his career, when they were not yet illegal and their consequences were not widely known.
SI.com: Brian Cazeneuveupdated: Tue May 18 2010 13:26:00
•Michael Phelps won three of four races last weekend at the Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix meet, an early competitive foray into the 2010 season. He placed first in the 200-meter freestyle, 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter individual medley. He placed second in the 100-meter backstroke.
But alcohol did not play a role in the accident and the swimmer was not at fault, says a police source
The driver who collided with a vehicle driven by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps will be cited for failure to stop at a red light, police said Friday.
Olympic champion swimmer Michael Phelps gets in a car accident in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Olympic champ smashed his SUV in downtown Baltimore Thursday night
Five things we learned from the world championships in Rome.
ROME -- Do not mess with Michael Phelps. He runs on emotion, dances through fire and uses all slights, disses and challenges to make himself swim faster. As Ali needed Frazier, Maris needed Mantle and Hatfield needed McCoy, the 2009 version of Michael Phelps, the eight Olympic golds behind him, needed Milorad Cavic to measure himself against at the world championships in Rome.
Milorad Cavic has been waiting for Saturday's 100-meter butterfly final -- and a showdown with Michael Phelps -- for the past year. It is a rematch Cavic has looked forward to since he lost out last August on an Olympic title and a chance to spoil Phelps' historic run of eight gold medals.
U.S. swimmer Ricky Berens suit split open during a race at the World Championships. CNN's Jeanne Moos reports.
The stars have been realigned. At a meet where every Tom, Dick and Giuseppe have been setting world records, Michael Phelps finally broke his own in the 200-meter butterfly Wednesday night at the FINA World Championships, lowering the mark he has owned since 2001 to 1:51.51. It was the eighth time Phelps has bettered the mark since he set the first world record of his career in the 200 fly in Austin, Texas, as a 15-year old. His winning time then was 1:54.92. He won the gold medal in Beijing, swimming 1:52.03.
From a no-name in the swim world a year ago, Germany's Paul Biedermann blasted onto the front stage as he put Michael Phelps into silver medal submission in the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships in Rome. Touching the wall in one minute, 42 seconds flat, Biedermann beat Phelps by 1.22 seconds and lowered the world record Phelps set in the Beijing Olympics from 1:42.96.
Sometimes, even veterans make rookie mistakes. Aaron Peirsol is one the greatest swimmers of his generation, arguably the greatest backstroker of all time. But at the swimming world championships on Monday, Peirsol made a bad error in judgment that cost him a spot in the final of the 100-meter backstroke that could have earned him a spot in history Tuesday.
Sacre bleu. The U.S. relay team fricasseed and flambéed the French again. On a night when six world records fell in seven events at the FINA world championships in Rome, the race that didn't produce one nevertheless held a headline. This was France's chance to undo the choke of Beijing, when Jason Lezak chased down Alain Bernard in the final strokes to keep Michael Phelps' bid for eight golds alive and reduce French boasting to a fine dice.
Swimming events begin Sunday at the FINA World Championships in Rome. This will be more than just the Michael Phelps show, though Phelps will swim in six races (200 freestyle, 100 butterfly 200 butterfly and three relays) and will likely come away with six more medals. Here are some of the things for fans of the U.S. team to look for at the championships:
As the summer swim season starts Memorial Day weekend, water quality and health experts have a message for swimmers: Please don't pee in the pool.
In his first competition since winning eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics last summer, Michael Phelps came to the Charlotte Ultraswim meet in North Carolina well-rested and with some new style: he debuted a new straight-arm or "windmill" stroke technique for some of his freestyle events, a stroke that allows him to slice throw the water more efficiently.
Phelps future
updated: Mon May 18 2009 11:19:00
CNN's sports Larry Smith talks about Michael Phelps' return to the pool after a three-month suspension.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps suffered his first defeat in a championship race in a year when he lost the 100-meter backstroke to world-record holder Aaron Peirsol at the Charlotte UltraSwim in North Carolina.
Olympian Michael Phelps says he will return to competition after a three-month ban.
Michael Phelps -- the Olympic gold-medal swimmer who jumped into hot water over a photo of him holding a bong -- has returned to competition for the first time since the Beijing Olympics.
"I really had no idea what to do," says the Olympian of first finding out about the bong photo
When Kellogg's dumped its endorsement of Michael Phelps after a photograph surfaced of the Olympic gold medalist using a bong, the company was stuck with thousands of boxes of cereal featuring the swimmer's image.
The Olympic champ apologizes again and warns young people about making decisions
Sheriff Leon Lott says there is not enough evidence to prosecute Olympian Michael Phelps on drug charges.
Olympic swimming champion Michael Phelps will not face criminal charges in connection with a November party at which he was photographed using a bong, a South Carolina sheriff said Monday.
Quite the stink over Michael Phelps' dalliance with the wacky tobaccy. With The Fuzz in South Carolina all fired up to press charges, we have the usual role model hand-wringing and clacking of calculators in damage assessment mode as a pungent cloud drifts over Phelps' endorsement future.
Michael Phelps says he's glad to be back in the water despite his suspension by USA Swimming.
Olympic champion Michael Phelps said Friday that he is grateful for the support of friends, family and most of his sponsors, and is focusing on his training in the wake of disciplinary action after a photo surfaced of him smoking from a bong.
The Olympian's behavior "is not consistent with the image of Kellogg," the corn flake company says
Michael Phelps says that he has learned from his mistakes and is happy to be back in the water.
Olympic hero Michael Phelps was suspended from competitive swimming for three months on Thursday -- just hours after one of his sponsors announced it would not renew his contract after a photo surfaced of him smoking from a bong.
The swimmer says telling his mom about the pot shot was the toughest part
The local police department "is making an effort to determine if Mr. Phelps broke the law" when he was snapped with a bong
A South Carolina sheriff's office is investigating whether Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps smoked marijuana on the University of South Carolina campus.
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has acknowledged he engaged in "regrettable" behavior and "demonstrated bad judgment," after a British newspaper published a photograph of the swimmer smoking from a bong.
Showbiz Tonight's AJ Hammer talks with his panel about the controvery over swimmer Michael Phelps.
How wrong we were. With his laid-back vibe and skateboard collection, Ryan Lochte was the Olympic swimmer who most reminded us of Jeff Spicoli. But clearly, it is Michael Phelps, among the Speedo set, who best embodies the true spirit of Ridgemont High's best-known stoner.
The swimmer expresses regret after being shown in a photo apparently smoking marijuana
Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps admitted to "regrettable" behavior Sunday and vowed it wouldn't happen again after a British newspaper published a photograph of the swimmer smoking from a bong.
Great ones find a way. You get a sense that even if Craig Ehlo and Bryon Russell were guarding Michael Jordan together, he would shoot over or around them; if Tiger Woods was surrounded by an ocean and a desert, he could birdie the 18th; if Lance Armstrong had to cycle the Tour de France vertically, he could reach the roof before the Italian team crossed the street on flat pavement; and if someone drafted a 4x6 goalie, he still couldn't stop Wayne Gretzky in overtime of Game 7.
The Olympian is putting on pounds and enjoying the easy life
Michael Phelps was named SI 2008 Sportsman of the Year on Tuesday. Here are several stories and photo galleries chronicling Phelps' rise to glory over the years:
The party of the year in the swimming world took place not in Beijing's Water Cube in August but in a New York City hotel ballroom the week before Thanksgiving. The occasion was the Golden Goggle Awards, the Oscars of the amphibious set, and most of the 43 members of the U.S. Olympic swim team turned out for the splashy event. With their short skirts, high heels and ripped biceps the women were visions of powerful femininity. The dudes wore their tuxedos ironically, with shaggy hair and bow ties askew. Before the awards show began, there was a rip-roaring cocktail hour. The view of midtown Manhattan from the ballroom revealed the grand old Ziegfeld Theatre, which on this night was hosting a red-carpet premiere for the latest overwrought Hollywood drama. Despite the constellation of paparazzi flashes the assembled actors couldn't match the star power at the Golden Goggles.
The Olympic champ brings Caroline "Caz" Pal to Baltimore for Thanksgiving
This year's eight-time gold medalist says he'll "do nothing" until February
"My mom is by far the most important woman in my life," he says of the female attention
The multi-medalist swimmer's wardrobe will include a Speedo when he hosts Saturday Night Live
From Vegas to the VMAs, the swimmer says he's having a blast since the Olympics
"He's gonna be naked in all the sketches I write!" promises Kristen Wiig
"I could see him coming back as one of the boys," the actor says of the Olympian
"I never said I have a girlfriend, and I never said I don't have a girlfriend," the Olympic gold medalist tells PEOPLE
The gold medalist swims with New York City kids to promote his favorite sport
The Olympian is being given a hero's welcome at the Orlando resort on Friday
The Golden Boy chats with Woods – and crosses paths with Misty May-Treanor – at a Manhattan party
The 14-time Olympic Gold-medalist will kick off show's 34th season next month
We asked the Sports Illustrated writers who covered the Beijing Olympics to leave us with their indelible memory of the Games.
The record-setting American calls the ceremony a "great start" to the 2012 games
The two swimmers are seen in their Speedos – and also kissing!
• How do you unwind in Beijing if you’re eight-time gold-medalist Michael Phelps? You have drinks by the pool – not in it! The
Olympian turned up at Beijing's Club Bud, the multi-level nightclub in the
Chaoyang district designed by Anheuser-Busch, and spent the night in
poolside cabanas along with fellow team members Ryan Lochte, Matt Grevers and Natalie Coughlin. Of course, they didn't go unnoticed – fans asked Phelps to pose for photos, and he didn't seem to mind. "A lot of people wanted to get close to him," says the guest. "But he looked pretty happy to
hang out with everyone."
In quick succession, I've been asked to lend my presumed wisdom to the following ascending questions:
The Olympic swimming champ's grrrreatest moments will be remembered Kellogg's cereal boxes
The record breaking Olympian strikes an iconic pose
Olympic swimmers broke 25 world records at Beijing's Water Cube over the course of the nine-day swimming program. To put that number into perspective, consider this: the only Olympics in which more marks fell was at the Montreal Games in 1976 (30), the first Olympics where goggles were used. Being able to see underwater, which allowed swimmers to plan their turns before their heads smacked the wall, made for a big drop in times. During the ensuing 32 years, the sport has had a steady stream of technical advances ?better training tools like short fins, ergonomically-designed hand paddles, and the full body suit designs that debuted in Sydney in 2000. All of these things were helpful, of course, but there's been nothing as seismic as the advent of goggles.
He also faces huge sponsor deals – such as $50 million from Nike, alone
Having completed his Olympics gold rush, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps is now poised to make another haul -- this time of the endorsement variety.
CNN's John Vause reports on how Michael Phelps wil be able to cash in after winning a record eight Olympic gold medals.
The swimmer takes the crown for most gold medals at a single Olympics
Michael Phelps ties Mark Spitz with his 7th gold medal. Larry Smith wraps up Saturday's competition.
The American swimmer nabs his seventh medal in a come-from-behind win
BEIJING -- On a sticky Sunday morning when history and mythology were intertwined, a 23-year-old swimmer with the slack-jawed smile and an acute sense of the moment churned through Lane 4 of the Water Cube and into sports immortality and the common currency of the English language. In rewriting swimming and Olympic history with his eighth gold medal, Michael Phelps was rewriting the dictionary. As backstroker Aaron Peirsol, who started the 4x100 medley relay, would say, "The term Spitzian might be outdated now by the Phelpsian feat."
CNN's Elizabeth Cohen looks at how much food it takes to power Olympian Michael Phelps.
Michael Phelps won his record eighth gold medal of the Beijing Games on Sunday to become the grandest of Olympic champions
Well, there's always 48 Hours Mystery on CBS, and ABC appears to be showing another can't-miss episode of Eli Stone. Of course, if you're reading this, it's a safe bet you'll be watching the Michael Phelps coronation. If Phelps and his teammates win the 4x100 medley relay (bet the house, the vacation house and all your other possessions on it), he will become the all-time leader in gold medals in a single games with eight. The scheduled time of the race is 10:58 p.m., the final event of the swimming program in Beijing. "The U.S. should win unless something goes wrong," says Sports Illustrated's Brian Cazeneuve. "But keep in mind that the last time they swam this event at a major competition -- the world championships in 2007 -- something went very wrong. The team was disqualified because of an illegal exchange. Barring that, I just don't think there is a team with four swimmers at the level of the U.S."
The supermodel talks about how she met the gold medalist years before this historic Olympiad
Time.com: Phelps' Lucky Sevenupdated: Sat Aug 16 2008 06:00:00
Michael Phelps ties Spitz' record of seven gold medals in a single Olympics in a controversial split-second win
Michael Phelps swam into history with a magnificent finish Saturday, tying Mark Spitz with his seventh gold medal of this Olympics
Michael Phelps' bid to win an unprecedented eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics is loaded with land mines, or perhaps water mines, in several individual events and at least one relay. This is a look at what Phelps has in store during the nine days of swimming events. Remember that all finals will take place during the mornings in Beijing, which is 12 hours ahead of East Coast time in the U.S. The morning swimming sessions begin at 10:00 AM in Beijing; evening sessions begin at 6:30 PM.
The American swimmer wins his sixth gold medal in Beijing – two to go ...
If carb-loading were an Olympic competition, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps would probably medal there, too. His day starts with three cheese-tomato-onion-fried egg sandwiches, an omelet, three powdered-sugar-covered slices of French toast, a bowl of grits and three chocolate chip pancakes to top it off, according to news reports.
Phelps dominatesupdated: Fri Aug 15 2008 10:10:00
Michael Phelps wins his third gold medal. CNN's Larry Smith wraps up the day from Beijing.
When he's not winning gold medals, the swimmer relaxes with the documentary series Planet Earth
"I'll be happy to stand aside and let him carry the torch," says the earlier record holder
Not even a pair of leaky goggles could keep the swimmer from earning his 10th and 11th gold medals
BEIJING -- On Wednesday, Michael Phelps won gold medals in the 200-meter butterfly and 4x200-meter relay to increase his career total to 11 Olympic golds, the most by any athlete in any sport in the history of the Games. Phelps had been tied with four others, each of whom had nine. You could make a case for each of those athletes, and for Phelps, as the greatest Olympic athlete in history.
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|