On this day in history, August 13, 2008, Michael Phelps of the United States pulled off something truly extraordinary at the Beijing Olympics — claiming two gold medals in less than an hour while demolishing records in both events. His remarkable run continued through August 17th, when he secured his eighth medal, toppling a 36-year-old record of seven that had long seemed untouchable.
The road to these legendary accomplishments was anything but smooth for Phelps. Over the course of nine grueling days, he competed in an astonishing 17 races to lock down all eight medals — a feat that spoke volumes about his relentless dedication and rigorous preparation. Central to his success was a long-standing partnership with coach Bob Bowman, a relationship that started when Phelps was only ten years old. By the age of 15, he had already made history as the youngest male swimmer to represent the U.S. Olympic team in 68 years. Years before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bowman began laying the groundwork for what would become a historic campaign. Their demanding training approach earned the nickname 'Eat, Sleep, Swim,' and it's said that Phelps fueled his body with a staggering 10,000-12,000 calories daily.
The 200-meter butterfly kicked things off for Phelps on August 13, and it nearly became a disaster. Halfway through the race, water flooded his goggles, leaving him essentially blind for the remainder of the event. Yet even with this harrowing setback, he touched the wall first, earning his fourth gold medal and establishing a new record time of 1:52.03. In less than an hour, he was back in the pool, swimming the opening leg of the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. The American squad powered to victory, delivering Phelps his fifth gold medal along with a fresh record of 6:58.56. Those watching could hardly believe what they had witnessed — a swimmer overcoming a major obstacle and walking away with two golds in under sixty minutes.
Following his appearance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Michael Phelps stepped away from competitive swimming for good. Across his career, he amassed an incredible 28 Olympic medals in total, cementing his status as the most decorated individual athlete in history. Through his extraordinary talent, unwavering dedication, and fierce motivation, Phelps captivated and inspired millions around the world.