Michael Phelps BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.
Another week in the world of Michael Phelps, and the headlines are a blend of sports drama, celebrity cameos, hometown pride, and a dash of poker flair. Among the biggest developments: Michael Phelps and fellow legend Ryan Lochte ignited controversy after using Instagram to criticize Team USA’s “disappointing” performance at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore. Lochte posted a digitally altered image of a gravestone that read “In Loving Memory of United States Swimming” and mused “Call it a funeral, or call it a fresh start. We’ve got three years,” referencing preparation for the LA 2028 Olympics. Phelps amped up the message, adding the line “Is this the wake up call USA swimming needed? Let’s find out…” This not-so-subtle rebuke drew national attention with Swimming World Magazine and The Independent noting its reach and calling the athletes’ opinions “significant” given their historical dominance. The reactions were swift; current U.S. swimmers fired back on social media and in interviews, with world champion Gretchen Walsh saying she was simply blocking out the noise and focusing on racing, while teammate Lilly King cheekily tagged Phelps and Lochte in her own post, asking, “Y’all been real quiet tonight,” punctuated with a sideways-looking emoji.
Meanwhile, in an unexpected but perfectly Phelpsian crossover, the Olympic icon got a hometown call from the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, along with several teammates, posted a video appeal asking Michael to teach some of the guys how to swim—revealing that one in three Ravens players are not proficient swimmers. Phelps quickly replied, “I got yall!!! Let’s do it!!” according to both The Daily Record and KFGO, drawing a nationwide smile and further burnishing Phelps’ Maryland roots.
Business interests also buzz in the background. The World Business Forum Sydney confirmed that Michael Phelps is slated as a featured speaker on high performance in November, underlining his status as a sought-after voice beyond just the pool. On the social front, Global Poker’s official Instagram page announced a “Knock Out Michael Phelps” online poker tournament set for August 10, with fans invited to test their luck against the swimming GOAT.
As for the record books, there’s fresh pressure on his legacy. Canadian phenom Summer McIntosh snagged her third gold medal at the World Championships, inching closer to Phelps’ storied achievement of five individual titles at a single worlds, a record that could soon have company according to Olympics.com.
No major new business ventures or policy initiatives involving Phelps have surfaced this week, but his influence—in sport, business, Baltimore, and even internet memes—remains as outsized as ever.
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