In pictures: 10 lesser known facts about ‘Baltimore Bullet’ Michael Phelps

One of the most decorated Olympian of all times, swimming phenomenon Michael Phelps continued weaving his magic at the ongoing Rio Olympics. The 31-year-old swimmer from America has bagged 22 Olympic medals so far – all gold. This is more than twice the number of medals that second highest record holder has won. Here, we bring you 10 lesser known facts about the “Baltimore Bullet”

Phelps was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when he was in sixth grade. In this, the patient faces difficulty in staying focused and paying attention, difficulty in controlling behavior and over-activity. At that time, his mother Debbie taught him to focus, in and out of the pool.

At the age of 10, he made a national record in his age group, and started his professional training under coach Bob Bowman.

Phelps was just 15 years old when he qualified for the 2000 Summer Olympics that was held in Sydney. He became the youngest male to qualify for the US swimming team in 68 years.

At the 2001 World Aquatics Championship, he became the youngest swimmer to break the world record in the 200m butterfly event.

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Phelps won eight gold medals – the most by any athlete in a single Olympic games.

Since he wears shoes sized 14, people often refer to his feet as ‘fins’. This gives him an advantage of extra 15 degree rotation to his feet than a normal.

Phelps, who is one of the most successful Olympians of all time, has a favourite athlete – Michael Jordan.

Phelps is the world record holder in 100 and 200 meter butterfly, 400 meter individual medley, 200 meter freestyle and 200 meter individual medley.

Weeks before he bagged four gold medals at the 2004 Olympics, Phelps was arrested at Salisbury, Maryland for drunken driving. He was upset for letting his family and himself down.

Along with glittering swimming career, Phelps has authored two books – ‘Beneath the Surface: My Story’ and ‘The Will to Succeed’.