Now working as a sports analyst for NBC at the Paris Olympics, Michael Phelps still holds the record for the most Olympic medals. With swimmers like Katie Ledecky in the sport, there is a chance someone might break his record. However, Phelps set the bar very high before retiring, sparking interest in his life and achievements.
Let’s take a detailed look at Michael Phelps’ medals, records, and the condition he suffers from.
How many medals does Michael Phelps have?
Michael Phelps has a total of 28 Olympic medals.
This total includes a record-breaking 23 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals, making him one of the most decorated Olympians of all time. While participating in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, at the age of just 15, he placed fifth in the 200m butterfly event. However, he went on to dominate the sport for the next four Olympic Games.
At the games in Athens, he won 6 gold and 2 bronze medals, falling just one gold short of tying with Mark Spitz’s record of 7 golds in 1972. Next, at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he won a record-breaking 8 gold medals and broke world records in 7 of those events.
This is considered the greatest medal haul in the history of the Olympic Games. Further, at the 2012 London Olympics, he won 4 gold and 2 silver medals, after which he decided to retire. However, he made a comeback at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bagging 5 gold medals and 1 silver.
Does Michael Phelps suffer from any conditions?
While he doesn’t suffer from any physical conditions, Michael Phelps has been vocal about his struggles with mental health issues.
Many people speculated that Michael Phelps suffered from Marfan Syndrome after he mentioned it in his book. However, he confirmed being disease-free by writing, “I have been tested once a year ever since at Johns Hopkins under the direction of Dr. Peter Roe, and the tissues are strong, the aortic root is clear, and my heart is in good shape.”
He has been very vocal about the mental health issues he faces, such as ADHD and depression. In 2022, he spoke to students at CSUF about mental health, saying, “You’re going to have problems. You’re going to have hard times. I want every single one of you to ask for help.”
What records has Michael Phelps broken?
Michael Phelps has broken numerous records in swimming, especially at the Olympic Games.
Phelps holds the record for the highest number of medals in the Olympics, with 23 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals. He also holds the record for the most gold medals.
His greatest achievement is considered to be his record-breaking number of gold medals at a single Olympics, winning 8 gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Additionally, he still holds a few world records and Olympic records for swimming events.
