Two days before the 200 butterfly final at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, I get a text message.
Mel, you're presenting the award to the 2-fly winner.
Awesome! I think. I’m probably presenting to Phelps, the odds-on favorite. It’ll be his first event, the one that puts him on his 5th Olympic Team. What an honor!
The last time I presented to Phelps was 8 years ago at the first Omaha Trials in 2008. The house was packed. The huge venue, then a novelty, wowed fans, breathing new life into USA Swimming. I remember my hairs standing on end presenting to Phelps…and then, for some stupid reason, I decided I wouldn’t shake Phelps’ hand, I’d go in for a kiss the way the FINA folks do it. Why not? It’s a formal kiss, a very dignified-award-ceremony-thing-to-do. So, I did. I handed Phelps his award, leaning in puckering up before a crowd of 14,900 swim fans. Alas, Phelps declined.
Eight years later with another award presenting opportunity, I decide to try my luck again. This time I’ll get a kiss. He can’t deny me twice.
The morning of the 200 fly final, I have a skip in my step walking to the hotel elevator. This is a good day, I think. All days with 2-fly finals are monumental, especially with Phelps in the final–
GET OFF THE ELEVATOR, MEL!
The command booms from the Hilton elevator. A large man clad in headphones and a low-brimmed cap looms in the corner. The cramped steel box is packed with swimmers heading to warmups. Everyone freezes in fear. The looming figure? It’s Phelps, a tight grin stretching the corner of his mouth. An awkward moment passes before he notices everyone’s a little stunned, and says, “It’s Mel. That was joke.”
I draft Phelps walking through the hotel towards the skywalk to the CenturyLink Center wondering how he’s going to make it without fans mobbing him. He’s doesn’t. Entering the skywalk, kids swarm him. Phelps signs autographs, saying, “Guys, I can do one photo, then I have to go warmup.” Through the skywalk glass door, I see blond hair racing forward. It’s 2012 Olympic Champion Dana Vollmer, just in time for a photo-bomb.
After the pic, Phelps literally has to pull away from the kids. One young swimmer with chlorine-fried hair, no more than seven years old, hugs Phelps. It’s bear-hug, around Phelps’ waist. The kids squeezes him, mushing his face into Phelps stomach. It’s cute, but for a few seconds it looks like the kid isn’t going to let go.
Over the skywalk, Phelps essentially escapes. He glances back, half-laughing, “That kid tried to kiss me yesterday.”
That night, Phelps takes the 200 fly win, making his 5th Olympic Team. USA Swimming officials lead me through the underbelly of the CenturyLink Center for the awards ceremony. The venue darkens. Music rolls.
Mel Stewart awards presenter 200 fly (photo: Mike Lewis)
Parading out I’m awed by the crowd, the growth of our sport, and pride for the athletes courageous enough to fight for their spot on Team USA under so much pressure. Overcome with emotion, I almost forget my plan–the Phelps kiss.
I take the Trials medal, put it around Phelps’ neck and he grabs my hand shaking it before I can even think. Now he’s pulling me close to say something.
Paraphrasing, Phelps quickly and colorfully communicates that his 2-fly was solid for three 50s, but with a little more rest heading into Rio, that last 50 will be on-point. So, the greatest of all time is being honored for his 5th Olympic berth, and he’s already thinking about what’s next, how to improve… I like that. I like it a lot. That’s the type of focus it takes to win 22 Olympic medals.
Remembering my plan, I finally I lean in, “Buddy, you swam beautifully,” then point to my cheek, “how’s about a kiss?”
No kiss.
I am now 0-2…but I got a good laugh from the GOAT.
Michael Phelps 2016 US Olympic Trials 200 butterfly awards ceremony (courtesy of Mike Lewis)
Michael Phelps 2016 US Olympic Trials 200 butterfly awards ceremony (courtesy of Mike Lewis)
Michael Phelps 2016 US Olympic Trials 200 butterfly awards ceremony (courtesy of Mike Lewis)
Advice for International Olympic Committee officials awarding medals in Rio? Don’t expect a kiss from Phelps.
Mel, thanks for being such a presence at both the swim trials and Local Beer Patio Kitchen! We loved having you and your team in the space and look forward to the next trials. I still remember the kiss story right after you tried to smooch him. Good work and remember, persistence pays off 🙂
He’ll have to do more than fix his last 50, though that was the most glaring flaw of his race. His last 50 was 31.9, sixth fastest which is very in-Phelpsian. (Fastest 50 belongs to Jack Conger with a 30.1, challenging conventional wisdom that the last 50 matters most in a 200 fly.)
But even if he cuts 2 seconds off that final 50, it brings him to 1:52.8 and I’m not sure that will be enough to win. 1:54.8 was enough to comfortably win the US trials; in Rio it might not medal.
So Phelps must come home faster, but also probably go out faster too.
I’m sure more rest will help is third 50 too..
More rest will give Phelps easier speed going out and faster speed coming home. Rest is good medicine. Phelps will be on in Rio.
How do you think that will effect his times in the 100 fly and the 200 IM? What are your predictions in times for all his events?
He is a Giant
Phelps kind of confirmed he wasn’t rested very much at trials right?
Well, to Mel. In actual interview / facebook videos he’ll just say that only Bob knows or w/e.
I’m pretty sure he knows exactly what’s going on.
200 fly is one of those races where you need a full rest to get that last 50. It was clear to me Phelps came to Trials to race, but not fully rested. I don’t Bowman has ever fully rest Phelps for Trials since ’04. They’re all about the Olympic Games and being perfectly rested for that event.
I love Michael Phelps he’s not perfect but then none of us are a lot of respect for you. Enjoy your son and life in general. Kick some ass at the Olympics.
This is priceless Mel – well done – what an exchange u had both – Fantastic to keep on with dreams …thats what i also commit
Myself in life – never give up on your dreams . Life than meets u half way with a lot of surprises like this one .
I still can’t believe Mel would have made this year’s Olympic team with his 200 fly time from 1991.
Watching his race on Youtube shows how great he was as a 200 flyer. Can you imagine Mel with today’s suit and extending out his walls? About what…..a 1:53?
And today’s pools. 1:53 for sure.
1:53 for sure. For sure.
Ran into Mel in the hotel lobby the morning after the medal ceremony. It was my burning question. What did Mel say to Michael to make him laugh so hard? After reminding Mel that we had met the day before, In the very same lobby, and that it was my daughter who was the one who asked “who is he? An official?” only seconds after asking for a quick photo of the two together. A priceless, well timed question!! Mel was super cool about it. Long story short (to late…) Glad that Mel chose to write this. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one dieing to find out the deats of thier 20 second exchange.