Thanks to SwimSwam reporter Katrina Radke for capturing video interviews used in this report.
Michael Phelps sports a massive beard at the Minneapolis Pro Swim, and he opens up about his very real and raw feature in Sports Illustrated Magazine.
Phelps looked tired at the 2015 MINN PSS, which is a positive sign he’s still focused, investing in a heavy base for the 2016 Olympic Games. At the MINN PSS, media danced around the topic of the Sports Illustrated feature, in which he gave the most honesty interview of his career. He was finally asked about it and gave a very revealing answer.
You can follow Michael Phelps on Twitter here.
See Michael Phelps’ MP HQ here.
RECENT EPISODES
This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.
I don’t think we should get overzealous with out Winter Nats predictions. While Phelps is the G.O.A.T. and can obviously put up some ridiculous times, I doubt he’ll do so in Federal Way. His eyes are locked on Trials and, most importantly, Rio in 8 months. My guess is he and Bowman do a short rest just to try and get a few fast swims in, but nothing more than that. He seems really determined and focused on having a great Olympics, and I don’t think a stellar Winter Nats performance factors into that.
YouTube $$$
is there a video included in this post? unable to view it… 🙁 🙁
Hi ‘We Love Phelps’ – we’re having no issues viewing the video. Should be in the top slider. If you can email me a screenshot of what you see in the top headline image to [email protected], I can check it out. Thanks!
thanks Braden Keith! problem solved…i can view it now 😀 😀 😀
Mel, we all know since last summer that Michael can swim again close to his best times.
And that’s amazing.
My only and last concern is about his ability to multiple the races at trials first but especially at olympic games.
Overall in San Antonio he swam only 3 races (100 fly, 200 fly and 200 IM finals) at 100%.
I don’t mention the 200 breast on the last day which was just for fun.
In Rio, if he qualifies for the 100 fly, 200 fly and 200 IM, he will have 9 rounds in individual and among these 9 rounds, only the prelims will be pretty cool but I’m not even sure. Times about… Read more »
What’s the point in over analyzing the greatest swimmer of all time? Just watch and be entertained when the time comes.
Messaging from Phelps and Bowman has been very clear. He’s going to be selective about the events he swims at Trials and then the Olympic Games. He’s aware of his age…. He’s also said he wants to swim PBs. I think that’s the main drive PBs, plus playing his role on relays to make Team USA as competitive as possible in RIO… Team USA, even when they’re at their best, are challenged. Phelps is sober about his fact. Winning relays in Rio will be a tall order no matter how strong Team USA looks at US Olympic Trials.
I think Phelps’ Olympic schedule will be 100,200 fly, 400 IM, 400,800 free relay, 400 MR.
200 IM i think you meant to say?
Yes. I meant 200 IM…
mel, any predictions on what events phelps will be
swimming at the winter nats? thanks.
Wonderful piece, Mel
see comment above. I guessed at it. I’ll know more by Tuesday. I’ve been busy working on the biz side, then with family for thanksgiving…
Mel, what events do you think Phelps will be swimming at the winter nats? any predictions?
I don’t know. I’ve so busy working on the swimswam biz side, I haven’t dug into details…. My guess at this point:
200 IM, 100 Fly, 200 FLY…. but he could be swimming off events.
I don’t see how he could swim faster than he did at US Nationals in San Antonio, but if he does, I’m going to kick myself. I’m covering Duel in the Pool. Coleman Hodges will be on deck at Winter Nats.
I’d be happy to see Phelps:
200 IM – 1:55.5 or lower
100 fly – 50 point anything
200 fly – 1:54 or lower
Here’s the thing, I simply don’t know if Phelps is doing a full rest for Winter… Read more »
Do you think he might swim the 100 or 200 free instead of one of the Olympic individual events he is getting ready for?
What a terrific piece, Mel! You’ve outdone yourself yet again! Now if we could only get you on the broadcast team at the Rio Olympics providing athlete interviews… Maybe Mr. Phelps could make a phone call on your behalf? 😉
Thank you….but I’m working with SwimSwam next summer. I have no clue how or why NBC makes the choices they do…. Frankly, I’d like to see a younger Olympian doing poolside interviews. I think Natalie Coughlin would be great in 2020. I think someone is 30ish would work–old enough to have perspective, young enough to communicate excitement in an effortless way… On this topic, BBC did an exceptional job of coverage in 2012. Loved it. Watching BBC coverage of the swim events, I felt like I was watching the Olympics from my couch with swim-friends. (NOTE: I watched BBC and NBC coverage…the same way I work from 4 computers at my desk. I watch a lot of screens.)
I agree with DJB absolutely 100%. I would love listening to Mel’s perspective and insight at Rio on NBC. Mel, you are humble and a gentleman. Take pleasure that those “in-the-know” appreciate your talents in front of the camera.