Career Timeline of Michael Phelps: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Michael Phelps built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, holding a record of 28 medals. He has the most Olympic gold medals (23), the most individual gold medals (13), and the most individual medals overall (16). At the 2004 Athens Olympics, he tied the record with eight medals, winning six gold and two bronze. In 2008, he broke the record for most first-place finishes at a single Olympic Games with eight gold medals. He continued his success at the 2012 London Olympics with four gold and two silver medals, and at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, winning five gold and one silver. He was the most successful athlete for four consecutive Olympics.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

2000: USA Olympic Team Member

In 2000, Michael Phelps became a USA Olympic team member.

2000: First time without medal

In 2000, Michael Phelps did not get a medal in an Olympic event, for the first time in his career.

2000: Fifth Place Finish in 200-meter Butterfly

In 2000, Michael Phelps finished 5th in the 200-meter butterfly, marking his first appearance in the finals for that event.

2000: 2000 Summer Olympics Qualification

In 2000, at the age of 15, Phelps qualified for the Summer Olympics, becoming the youngest male (since Ralph Flanagan in 1932) to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years. He finished fifth in the 200-meter butterfly.

2002: 200-meter butterfly win

In 2002, Michael Phelps started a winning streak in 200-meter butterfly that continued until 2010.

2002: Pan Pacific Swimming Championships Selection

In 2002, at Nationals, the selection meet for the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, Phelps set an American record in the 200-meter individual medley and was just off the world record in the 200-meter butterfly. In the 400-meter individual medley, Phelps bettered the world record held by Tom Dolan with a time of 4:11.09.

2003: Nationals and Duel in the Pool

In 2003, at Nationals, Phelps won the 200-meter freestyle, 200-meter backstroke, and the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first American swimmer to win three different races in three different strokes at a national championship. At the Duel in the Pool, Phelps broke the world record in the 400-meter individual medley. At a meet in Santa Clara County, California, Phelps broke the world record in the 200-meter individual medley.

2003: World Aquatics Championships

In 2003, at the World Aquatics Championships, Phelps won four gold medals, two silver medals, and broke five world records. He broke his first world record on July 22 in the semi-finals for the 200-meter butterfly. In the final of the 200-meter butterfly, on July 23, Phelps easily won the gold medal. Phelps also swam the lead-off leg for the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, winning a silver medal.

2004: Athens Olympics butterfly titles

Following his two titles in the Athens 2004 Olympics, Michael Phelps became the first swimmer, male or female, to win three Olympic butterfly titles.

2004: USA Olympic Team Member

In 2004, Michael Phelps became a USA Olympic team member.

2004: First Place in 200-meter Butterfly

In 2004, Michael Phelps won first place in the 200-meter butterfly.

2004: 2004 Summer Olympics

In 2004, at the Summer Olympics in Athens, Phelps tied the record of eight medals of any color at a single Games, winning six gold and two bronze medals.

2005: 2005 World Aquatics Championships

In 2005, at the World Aquatics Championships, Michael Phelps secured a total of six medals, comprising five gold medals and one silver medal. He did not advance past the preliminary heats in the 400-meter freestyle. He won gold in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, the 200-meter freestyle, the 200-meter individual medley, the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, and the 4x100-meter medley relay. He earned a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly.

2005: World Championship Trials

In 2005, at the World Championship Trials, Phelps dropped his specialty events, the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter butterfly, and experimented with the 400-meter freestyle and the 100-meter freestyle. Phelps went on to win the 400-meter freestyle, the 200-meter freestyle, the 100-meter butterfly, the 100-meter freestyle, and the 200-meter individual medley at the Trials.

2006: 2006 Pan Pacific Championships

In 2006, Michael Phelps competed in the backstroke at the Pan Pacific Championships.

August 1, 2007: US Nationals

On August 1, 2007, at the US Nationals in Indianapolis, Michael Phelps swam the 200-meter backstroke in 1:54.65, the third fastest time ever in the event.

2007: 100-meter butterfly win

In 2007, Michael Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly.

2007: 2007 World Aquatics Championships

In 2007, at the World Aquatics Championships, Michael Phelps showcased his dominance by winning seven gold medals, equaling Mark Spitz's record. He broke five world records in the process. Phelps's gold medals came in the 4x100-meter freestyle, the 200-meter freestyle, setting a world record, the 200-meter butterfly, setting a world record, the 200-meter individual medley, setting a world record, the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, setting a world record, the 100-meter butterfly, and the 400-meter individual medley, setting a world record.

August 17, 2008: Eighth Gold Medal

On August 17, 2008, Michael Phelps secured his eighth gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay at the Olympic Games in Beijing, surpassing Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals won in a single Olympic Games. His team set a new world record in the event with a time of 3 minutes and 29.34 seconds. Phelps swam the butterfly leg, setting the fastest split ever for the event.

2008: Establishment of Michael Phelps Foundation

After the 2008 Olympics, Michael Phelps used his $1 million Speedo bonus to set up the Michael Phelps Foundation, focusing on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles.

2008: Michael Phelps Foundation Started

After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation, which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles.

2008: Eighth Olympic Gold Medal

During the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Michael Phelps won his eighth Olympic gold medal in the 4×100-meter medley relay. Ian Thorpe, who previously doubted Phelps could win eight golds, congratulated Phelps.

2008: USA Olympic Team Member

In 2008, Michael Phelps became a USA Olympic team member.

2008: Defended individual title

In 2008, Michael Phelps defended his individual title.

2008: First Place in 200-meter Butterfly

In 2008, Michael Phelps won first place in the 200-meter butterfly.

2008: 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials

In 2008, at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Michael Phelps showcased his talent by competing in six individual events. He broke his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley, and won the 200-meter freestyle, the 200-meter butterfly, the 200-meter individual medley, and the 100-meter butterfly. He also secured a spot on the relay team.

2008: Beijing Olympics Success

The national team's success in the men's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay during the Beijing 2008 Olympics served as a motivation for Michael Phelps's return to swimming.

2009: 2009 World Aquatics Championships

In 2009, Michael Phelps competed in the World Aquatics Championships. He won his third consecutive title in the 100-meter butterfly. He also participated in the 4x100-meter medley relay, where his team won the gold medal.

2009: 2009 National Championships

In 2009, Michael Phelps shortened his program at the National Championships, participating in only three individual events. He emerged victorious in the 200-meter freestyle, the 200-meter butterfly, and the 100-meter butterfly, setting a world-record time in the latter.

2009: Rome title

In 2009, Michael Phelps won the Rome title.

2010: 2010 National Championships

In 2010, at the National Championships, Michael Phelps competed in five individual events. He won the 200-meter freestyle, ahead of Ryan Lochte, and the 200-meter butterfly, although he was dissatisfied with his butterfly performance. Phelps also won the 100-meter butterfly, securing his 50th national title. In the 200-meter individual medley, Phelps finished second to Lochte. In the 200-meter backstroke, he finished in fourth place.

2010: 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships

In 2010, at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly. He also participated in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, where his team finished first. Phelps also competed in the 100-meter butterfly, finishing first and setting a championship record. His team also finished first in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, and Phelps set the championship record in the 100-meter freestyle as the lead-off leg. In his final event, the 4x100-meter medley relay, Phelps and his team finished first.

2010: Development of the "im" Program

In 2010, the Michael Phelps Foundation, the Michael Phelps Swim School, and KidsHealth.org developed and piloted the "im" program for Boys & Girls Club members, teaching children the importance of being active and healthy, with a focus on swimming.

2011: 2011 World Aquatics Championships

In 2011, at the World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai, Michael Phelps won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. He also won a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle. He won a gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly, becoming the first swimmer to win five gold medals in one discipline at the World Aquatics Championships.

July 31, 2012: 2012 Summer Olympics - 200-meter butterfly and 4x200-meter freestyle relay

On July 31, 2012, Michael Phelps won a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly and a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the Summer Olympics. With this win, he became the all-time record holder for the most Olympic medals won, surpassing Larisa Latynina.

August 2, 2012: 2012 Summer Olympics - 200-meter individual medley

On August 2, 2012, Michael Phelps won his 16th Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley, becoming the first male swimmer to win the same event in three consecutive Olympics. This marked his fifth Olympic title in the individual medley.

2012: USA Olympic Team Member

In 2012, Michael Phelps became a USA Olympic team member.

2012: Second Place in 200-meter Butterfly

In 2012, Michael Phelps finished second in the 200-meter butterfly at the London Olympics, losing to Chad le Clos.

2012: 2012 Olympics - Final Event and Award

In 2012, Michael Phelps's final event at the Olympics was the 4x100-meter medley relay, where he won his 18th career gold medal and his 22nd overall. He ended the 2012 Olympics as the most successful swimmer for the third Olympics in a row. FINA honored Phelps with an award commemorating his standing as the most decorated Olympian ever.

2012: 2012 Summer Olympics

In 2012, at the Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won four gold and two silver medals.

2012: 2012 Summer Olympics and Olympic Trials

In 2012, leading up to the Summer Olympics in London, Michael Phelps initially expressed a desire to try new events but ultimately qualified for the same eight events he swam in Beijing in 2008. He later dropped the 200-meter freestyle to focus on the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. During the Olympic trials, he finished first in multiple events and secured his place on his fourth Olympic team.

2012: Phelps's First Retirement

Phelps retired following the 2012 Olympics.

April 2014: Comeback Announcement

In April 2014, Michael Phelps announced he would come out of retirement and enter an event later that month.

April 2014: Phelps's Comeback

In April 2014, Phelps made a comeback after retiring from swimming.

May 2014: Arena Grand Prix Win

In May 2014, Michael Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly event at the Arena Grand Prix in Charlotte, North Carolina.

December 2015: Winter Nationals Win

In December 2015, Michael Phelps won titles in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, and the 200-meter individual medley at the Winter Nationals in Federal Way, bringing his career total to 62 national titles.

2015: US National Championships

In 2015, after being dropped from the team for the World Aquatics Championships due to a DUI, Michael Phelps competed in the US National Championships in San Antonio. He won gold medals in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, and the 200-meter individual medley, achieving the fastest times in the world for that year in each event.

August 12, 2016: Second Retirement

On August 12, 2016, Phelps announced his second retirement, having won more medals than 161 countries.

2016: Physical strength in the water

By the 2016 Olympic Trials, Michael Phelps "felt physically stronger in the water, perhaps because of drills Bowman added to his pool workouts, like multiple repeats of 40 seconds of dolphin kicking while hugging a 10-pound weight to his chest".

2016: USA Olympic Team Member

In 2016, Michael Phelps became a USA Olympic team member.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics

In 2016, at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Phelps won five gold medals and one silver, becoming the most successful athlete of the Games for the fourth Olympics in a row.

2016: 2016 Summer Olympics Qualifications

In 2016, at the US trials in Omaha for the Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps won the 200 m butterfly, 200 m individual medley, and the 100 m butterfly events. This made him the first American male swimmer, and the second American swimmer overall, to qualify for a fifth Olympics. He also secured a spot on the Men's 4 × 100 metre freestyle relay.

2016: Won first gold medal of 2016 Games

On August 7, 2016, Michael Phelps won his first gold medal of the 2016 Olympic Games in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay. He swam the second leg, overtaking France's Fabien Gilot, securing a lead for his team with a split time of 47.12.