The chosen one

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Story Content

• Targeting Spitz
• 36-year-old record
• Phelps accelerates at the end
• Began turning heads at 15

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The stinging comments from former Olympic great Ian Thorpe remain posted inside the locker of swimming phenom Michael Phelps at his University of Michigan training facility.

Thorpe, a five-time gold medallist, dismissed Phelps' quest of breaking legend Mark Spitz's incredible seven-gold medal performance 36 years ago in Munich when queried about the prospect in January.

The Aussie reasoned that Phelps couldn't possibly overcome the many world-class swimmers he would need to beat in order to win eight gold medals. Although the response to the question seemed harmless, Phelps took Thorpe's remarks as a slight and a challenge.

"With having someone like him say something like that, it motivates me and fires me up more," a determined Phelps told CBC Sports. "I see [that article] every day. When people say I can't do something, it makes me work even harder.

"Going into 2003 world championships, I remember an Australian coach saying I was unproven on international ground. Then last year the same kind of thing [before matching a record seven gold medals at the 2007 world championships]. I welcome everybody and whoever wants to say anything, whoever wants to trash talk I guess you could say. I enjoy hearing it and I enjoy reading it."

Targeting Spitz

Phelps has been targeting Spitz for the last four years. The pursuit began prior to the 2004 Athens Games as Speedo offered the Baltimore native a $1-million US bonus if he managed to equal or eclipse Spitz's record. 

The American barely missed collecting on the seven-figure payout, winning six golds and two bronze in Athens. Speedo has maintained the pledge of rewarding its No. 1 marketing asset should he make Olympic history, something Phelps welcomes.

"I definitely want to change the world of swimming," proclaimed Phelps. "I've always wanted to do things that nobody has ever done before. I know [what] Mark Spitz did in '72 was amazing.

"That's why it's still the best Olympic performance of all time. But for me I've always wanted to become the first Michael Phelps, not the second Mark Spitz. That's been a goal of mine and hopefully I'll be able to achieve that."

The impressive list of accomplishments already ranks the 23-year-old Phelps as one of the greatest swimmers of all time. A holder of four world records and 11 individual world titles, Phelps' potential gold rush in Beijing prompted NBC's to insist all swimming events be broadcast in U.S. prime time.

The chase, however, won't be easy.

36-year-old record

Phelps will have to endure 17 races, including finals, semifinals and preliminaries, in nine days. Meanwhile, Spitz, who predicted at the U.S. Trials last month that Phelps would end his 36-year record, had a day to rest during his remarkable run of 1972.

Perhaps no other person — other than Spitz — can fully appreciate the challenge that awaits Phelps in Beijing more than CBC swimming analyst Byron MacDonald.

One of Canada's most decorated university coaches, MacDonald swam against Spitz in the final of the 100-metre butterfly in Munich. He also has broadcast most of Phelps' major victories. So why can Phelps even contemplate such a lofty goal?

"He just has what in swimming terms is a great feel for the water, meaning when he grabs the water he pulls himself forward quicker and more efficiently than any other swimmer," MacDonald told CBCSports.ca.

MacDonald still sees two possible roadblocks for Phelps — the 100 butterfly and 4x100 freestyle relay.

Fellow American Ian Crocker is the world-record holder in the butterfly, but Phelps has the title of defending Olympic and world champion. Crocker admitted to falling into a depression following his crushing loss to Phelps in Athens, and hasn't come near his world-record time of 50.40 seconds this season.

Phelps accelerates at the end

"If Phelps is close to Crocker at the three-quarter point, it's over," said MacDonald. "Crocker always fades at the end and Phelps always accelerates. If Crocker can find his form then he would probably have the best individual shot at preventing Phelps from winning eight gold medals. I just haven't seen it this year."

Phelps' biggest test rests in the 4x100, an event where he must rely heavily on his teammates. While freestylers Jason Lezak and Ben Wildman-Tobriner are both world-class swimmers, there is no shortage of top international athletes in this event.

In addition, the reigning world champion Americans, who last reached the top of the podium at the 1996 Atlanta Games, will face intense pressure from France and the Olympic champion South Africans.

"If the other three swimmers don't rise to the challenge, a chance at eight gold medals for Phelps could disappear on Day 2 of the Olympic Games through no fault of his own," said MacDonald.

Phelps never dreamed of dominating the swimming world, taking up the sport only after watching his sisters Whitney and Hilary in the pool.  He began swimming at the age of seven, but didn't flourish until he met Bob Bowman four years later. Phelps' own dad left the family when he was 10, giving Bowman the added responsibility of guiding his young protégé as both a coach and father figure.

Began turning heads at 15

Bowman developed a strong bond with Phelps and trained him excessively as a youth, working seven days a week for five straight years. The work quickly paid off as Phelps began turning heads by the time he turned 15. 

Five months after his participation in the 2000 Sydney Games, he broke the world record in the 200 butterfly to become the youngest man ever to establish a swimming mark. In spite of the continuous training, Bowman never worried that his prized pupil would suffer through a burnout stage that so many teenage athletes fall prey to.

"I noticed he was very competitive, probably the most competitive athlete I had seen at a young age," explains Bowman. "He raced ferociously for someone who was 11 years old. So those were the two things that stuck out in my mind."

As the Beijing Games approach, Phelps has achieved almost everything a swimmer can attain in a career. With his place in Olympic history assured, the only unfinished business left is a record few thought would ever be broken.

"By the age of 19 I had accomplished all my dreams," he said. "I guess it's time to make more dreams and shoot for those and that's what I'm doing right now."