Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in the history of sport, today visited the Complexo Esportivo da Rocinha, situated in a large favela in Rio de Janeiro, ahead of the Laureus World Sports Awards which he is attending.
Chad le Clos, 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the 200 butterfly, getting ready for the red carpet (via twitter)
Complexo Esportivo da Rocinha (Rocinha Sports Centre) which opened in December 2010, is part of the Rio 2016 Olympic Development Programme. It currently benefits 4,500 people and offers 17 different sports, plus providing social and health services.
Michael, who won 22 Olympic medals in his career, including 18 gold medals, led a swimming clinic at Rocinha featuring elements from the Michael Phelps Foundation’s ‘im’ programme.
‘Im’ stands for individual medley, one of Michael Phelps’ most celebrated events, and it also reflects ‘I am’ which is a focus of the approach of the programme which tries to increase the self-confidence of the young people who attend.
Michael, who established the Michael Phelps Foundation following his record-setting performance at the 2008 Olympics, when he won eight gold medals, talked to some of the youngsters about the basic principles of his Olympic success – Dream, Plan, Reach. Phelps said:
“Coming to the Laureus World Sports Awards has given me a great opportunity to visit Rocinha and get a feel for what is going o n here. I enjoyed meeting some of the kids and I really feel sport is making a difference here.”
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation currently supports more than 140 projects around the world which have helped to improve the lives of over one-and-a-half million young people, including three in Rio de Janeiro – Luta Pela Paz, Bola Pra Frente and Gol de Letra – and has strong links with Complexo Esportivo da Rocinha.
Since he retired from swimming after the London Olympics, Phelps has been working actively for the Michael Phelps Foundation, his personal sporting charity, and talks have been held with Laureus to see if there are ways in which the two organisations can work together
Michael Phelps has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award after his success at the London Olympic Games, where he won four gold and two silver medals to become the most decorated Olympian. He is one of many leading sportsmen and women who will be attending the Awards Ceremony at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro.
This is an unedited press release.
The Academy has 47 members and there are only 2 ex-swimmers. At the same time, there are 9 former track&field athletes, one of them is Michael ‘I’d win 8 medals if I could run backwards’ Johnson. Enough said. Those people don’t understand and don’t respect swimming and swimmers. The fact that Phelps didn’t win the award in 2008 only proves it.
You mean in 2009 right? 2008 Award goes to 2007 events.. and no one was better in 2007 than Federer..
And I think it is not about respect.. What Phelps did was magnificient..
But he did not have the “signature event” of swimming which would be the 50 or 100 free.. and he had Bolt as a challenger who not only won.. but did so in such a fashion that it was outrageous..
Breaking both WR, one on the most important event of the OG.. by a BIG margin, without having to push 100% and so far ahead of the field gave up a strong up for Bolt.. it is not just about respect.. but being a swimmer or… Read more »
Yes, I mean in 2009 for his achievements in 2008…though Phelps should have won it in 2008 for his 7 golds in Melbourne in 2007, lol.
Yeah, I would say Phelps in 2007 was his second-best performance of his career.
Liliana..
For 2009 I would agree
but In 2008.. no Way
Federer won 3 Grand Slams, was second in One (all 4 finals in the same year)
He won the Tournament of the top 8 of the year
The way you are acting not considering other sports, is exactly the same behavior you are criticizing..
i hate track trolls who pretend their sports is “pure” and we have “ridiculous” events
track has events for throwing a stick (javelin), throwing a ball (shot put) throwing a ball on a chain (hammer throw) and throwing a disc (discus).
they also have events for jumping far, jumping high, jumping with a stick (pole vault), jumping and bouncing twice (triple jump), running and jumping (110m hurdles), running and jumping a little farther (400m hurdles), and running and jumping a lot farther (steeplechase).
i’m not trying to hate too hard on track but how can they attack us for having 4 100 meter events when at the same time they have 4 events for throwing things and 7… Read more »