20 August 2008
What’s next for Michael Phelps?
He’s setting his sights on new goals
The following article by a freelance contributor to the U.S. Olympic Committee Web site (http://www.teamusa.org) originally appeared on August 17 and is reprinted with permission.
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What’s next for Phelps?
By Aimee Berg
www.teamusa.org
BEIJING -- With his record-braking eight Olympic gold medals won during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps arguably became the greatest Olympian of all time this week. He also broke seven world records in Beijing and will leave with a total of 14 career gold medals. He called it "a perfect week." And although Phelps is done competing in Beijing, his Olympic career isn't finished, he said.
"There are some things I still want to do," Phelps said. "I want to raise the bar in swimming more … I think it can go even further, and I hope to take it even further."
Phelps' coach Bob Bowman said his 23-year-old protégé will likely try new distances in the future. "We'll have to see how keen he is to go to the sprints," Bowman said, although he expects a bit of resistance, "because there are [tough] workouts involved. Whether or not he wants to, I think it'll be good for him."
First, Phelps plans to take a break where, he said, "I will be on my clock, have fun, and be with some friends" and, of course, savor the chance to sleep in his own bed in Baltimore, Maryland.
Phelps' post-Beijing plan also involves the 2009 World Championships in Rome. "My mom told me I'd better make the team because she wants to go to Rome," he said. "We have to make that happen so she can go."
Phelps said nothing will top his memories in Beijing, however, and that he deliberately relished each moment here -- especially after hearing from teammates who could no longer recall details of their Olympic races or time spent on the medals podium.
"Every moment in and out of the pool will be with me forever," he said.
He also returns to the States with a new lucky number, the one that the Chinese have revered for so long. "I guess [eight] is lucky for me now, too," he said. "Seeing 8/8/08 and opening ceremonies start at 8:08 - I guess maybe it was meant to be. But for this to happen, everything had to fall into perfect place. If we had to do it again, I don't know if it would have happened exactly the way we wanted it to."
Aimee Berg is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee or any National Governing Bodies.
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