Watch as U.S. flag bearer and fourth-time Olympian Michael Phelps reflects on his impact on the sport.
“It’s pretty incredible to have helped kids go after their dreams and their goals,” he said during a Rio press conference earlier today.”
He goes on to talk about the changes that have taken place since he started swimming (and, in some cases, because he started swimming). Phelps mentions specific swimmers who have talked to him about the inspiration he had on them, including Katie Ledecky, Olivia Smoliga, and Mitch Larkin.
“That’s something that’s really rewarding, given how hard I’ve worked to see the sport change and to be a primetime sport and to be a major Olympic sport and to be a year-’round sport… an every-year sport, not just an every-four-years sport,” he said.
Phelps, who will retire (for real this time) after the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, touches slightly on his training and the upcoming races this week.
“I’m getting a little overworked, but the hard work has been done…” he said. “I’m looking forward to obviously Chad [le Clos] and I getting back in the pool… And hopefully, I face off with Mitch [Larkin] in the relay.”
He even touches on his first-time role as American team captain.
“It’s been cool as a captain to kind of watch the team– the American team– come together more and more, the closer we get to competition, so this has been a really cool experience.”
Still owes the CW little boys he cussed at an apology (plus about $6k he never paid back). He had zero time for those kids.
What’s the $6k about?
I am pretty tired of the “I wanted to change the sport” spiel
Did he not change it?
Why and how are you tired of that?
Seriously bro this is the greatest Olympian of all time, his goal was to change the sport. do you not think that is good enough???
I hope Phelps is not too tired from walking in the ceremony and carrying the flag.
I hope he is using all day Saturday to rest up and recover for his first race on Sunday final.
If he doesn’t recover well, USA might lose the 4×100, and I am also concerned he will lose all the individual events.
As his biggest fan, I am truly worried.
He did leave early. He basically left as soon as he came into the stadium. NBC drove him back to the village. So he wasn’t on his feet for another 3 hours after he got into the stadium and then walk back to the village. So that definitely helps a lot but nonetheless I hope he is getting lots of rest today.
He definitely says “I’m getting a little reward from the hard work” rather than “I’m getting a little overworked” before everyone goes nuts about him being overtrained.
I was so dumb when I met him. I was on cloud 9. I just said, thank you a lot when he signed an autograph for me. The last time I will ever see him at all while he is swimming. ( That is, if he manages to be sober FROM SWIMMING)