Michael Phelps at his Element

The most decorated Olympian ever

The stats:

• 22 medals overall
• 18 gold medals
• 11 gold medals from individual events
• 13 medals in male individual events
• 6 gold medals and 2 bronzes in 2004 Athens Olympics
• 8 gold medals in 2008 Olympics
• 5 golds and 2 silvers in 2012 London Olympics

So Call me, Maybe?

The USA Olympic Swimming Team doing its own rendition of the pop hit "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen.

Michael Phelps Detailed

Swimmer Michael Phelps, headed to the 2012 London Olympics, on cover in Details magazine.

Happy Birthday Phelps!

Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps

Both rivals and teammates, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps compete against each other in individual events and together in team relays.

In 2004 Athens Olympics Phelps and Lochte (together with Peter Vanderkaay and Klete Keller) swam in 4x200-meter relay to win the gold, upsetting the favorite Australian team. In the same Olympics Lochte finished second behind Phelps in the 200-m individual medley. Lochte also finished behind Phelps in 2008 Beijing Games individual events.

Lochte finally defeated Phelps in the 2010 National Championships 200-m individual medley. He defeated Phelps again in the 2011 World Aquatics Championships 200 medley.

Phelps Sets World Record

Michael Phelps sets a world record in 200-meter freestyle in the 2007 World Championships in Melbourne, breaking the previous mark set by Australian Ian Thorpe.

Michael Phelps Typical Day of Training

Race Warmup

Michael Phelps

Michael Phelps is an American Olympic swimmer who won 16 Olympic medals overall - making him one of the most successful swimmers of all time. He won 6 gold medals and 2 bronze medals in 2004 Athens Olympics, and added another eight gold medals in 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Born: June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, MD

Height: 6' 4"

Weight: 91 kg

Achievements/Career Highlights:

• won 66 medals in international competitions
• 6 times World Swimmer of the Year awardee
• 8 times American Swimmer of the Year awardee
• 2008 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award