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 28 medals. He boasts the most Olympic gold medals (23), individual gold medals (13), and individual medals (16). He tied the record of eight medals at the 2004 Athens Games, winning six gold and two bronze. In 2008, he broke Mark Spitz's record by winning eight gold medals at a single Olympics. He continued his success in London 2012, winning four gold and two silver, and Rio 2016, with five gold and one silver, making him the most successful athlete for the fourth consecutive Olympics.
2000: USA Olympic Team Member
In 2000, Michael Phelps became a member of the USA Olympic team.
2000: Finished 5th in the 200-meter Butterfly
In 2000, Michael Phelps finished 5th in the 200-meter butterfly, marking his first appearance in the finals of that event at the Olympics.
2000: 2000 Summer Olympics Qualification
In 2000, Michael Phelps qualified for the Summer Olympics at the age of 15, becoming the youngest male to make a U.S. Olympic swim team in 68 years.
2001: 200-meter butterfly world record
In 2001, Michael Phelps set his previous world record of 1:54.58 in the 200-meter butterfly. This record was then broken at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships.
2001: World Record in 200-meter Butterfly
In 2001, at the World Championship Trials, Michael Phelps broke the world record in the 200-meter butterfly, becoming the youngest male ever to set a world record in swimming at 15 years and 9 months. Later that year, at the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, Phelps broke his own world record in the 200-meter butterfly, winning his first world championship.
2002: Nationals
At Nationals in 2002, Phelps set an American record in the 200-meter individual medley and bettered the world record in the 400-meter individual medley.
2002: 2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
At the 2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Yokohama, Japan, Michael Phelps won three gold medals and two silver medals, including a world record in the 4x100-meter medley relay.
2002: 2002: Start of an Unbeaten Streak
Since 2002, Michael Phelps had been unbeaten in the 200-meter butterfly final until the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.
2003: 2003 World Aquatics Championships
At the 2003 World Aquatics Championships, Michael Phelps won four gold medals, two silver medals, and broke five world records, including his own record in the 200-meter butterfly on July 22.
2003: 200-meter individual medley record
In 2003, Michael Phelps set a record in the 200-meter individual medley with a time of 1:55.94.
2003: 2003 Duel in the Pool and Santa Clara Meet
In 2003, at the Duel in the Pool, Michael Phelps broke the world record in the 400-meter individual medley. Later, at a meet in Santa Clara County, California, he broke the world record in the 200-meter individual medley.
2004: Bowman Hired at University of Michigan
After the 2004 Summer Olympics, Bob Bowman was hired as the head coach for the University of Michigan.
2004: 2004 Olympics 100m butterfly victory
After two very close victories in the 100 m butterfly at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics (by 0.04 and 0.01 sec, respectively).
2004: 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Michael Phelps won six gold and two bronze medals, tying the record for most medals won at a single Games.
2004: 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
At the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Michael Phelps qualified in six individual events and set a world record in the 400-meter individual medley with a time of 4:08.41. He later dropped the 200-meter backstroke to focus on the 200-meter freestyle.
2004: USA Olympic Team Member
In 2004, Michael Phelps was a member of the USA Olympic team.
2004: Won Gold in the 200-meter Butterfly
In 2004, Michael Phelps won gold in the 200-meter butterfly at the Olympics, continuing his dominance in the event.
2004: Athens 2004 Olympics
In 2004, during the Athens Olympics, Michael Phelps achieved two Olympic butterfly titles, marking his early dominance in the sport.
2005: 2005 World Championship Trials
At the 2005 World Championship Trials, Michael Phelps decided to drop his specialty events, the 400-meter individual medley and the 200-meter butterfly, and experiment with the 400-meter freestyle and the 100-meter freestyle. He 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.
2005: 2005 World Aquatics Championships
In 2005, at the World Aquatics Championships, Michael Phelps showcased his versatility by winning a total of six medals, five golds and one silver, demonstrating his prowess across various swimming disciplines.
2006: 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
In 2006, Michael Phelps achieved remarkable success at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, securing five gold medals and one silver, marking a significant milestone in his career with world-record performances.
2006: 2006 National Championships
In 2006, at the National Championships, Michael Phelps dominated by winning three events: the 200-meter butterfly, the 100-meter butterfly, and the 200-meter individual medley, underscoring his dominance in multiple disciplines.
August 1, 2007: US Nationals in Indianapolis
On August 1, 2007, at the US Nationals in Indianapolis, Michael Phelps swam the 200-meter backstroke in 1:54.65, which was the third-fastest time ever in the event, showing versatility.
2007: 2007 World Aquatics Championships Title
In 2007, Michael Phelps also won the 100-meter butterfly at the World Aquatics Championships.
2008: Established Michael Phelps Foundation
After the 2008 Olympics, Michael Phelps established the Michael Phelps Foundation using his $1 million Speedo bonus, focusing on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles.
2008: Bowman Returns to Baltimore
After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Bob Bowman returned to Baltimore as CEO at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club.
2008: 2008 Olympics 100m butterfly victory
After two very close victories in the 100 m butterfly at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics (by 0.04 and 0.01 sec, respectively).
2008: 2008 Beijing Games
At the 2008 Beijing Games, Michael Phelps won eight gold medals, breaking the record of seven first-place finishes at a single Olympic Games.
2008: Michael Phelps Foundation Established
Following the 2008 Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation, focusing on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles.
2008: Won Gold in the 200-meter Butterfly
In 2008, Michael Phelps secured another gold medal in the 200-meter butterfly, further solidifying his legacy in the event.
2008: USA Olympic Team Member
In 2008, Michael Phelps was a member of the USA Olympic team.
2008: 2008 Olympics, 4x100-meter freestyle relay
In 2008, at the Olympics, Michael Phelps won his second gold medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, setting a world record, with teammate Jason Lezak's remarkable anchor leg performance.
2008: 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials
In 2008, at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Michael Phelps showcased his exceptional talent by competing in six individual events and breaking his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley and 200-meter individual medley.
2008: 2008 Summer Olympics
Michael Phelps competed in eight events in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
2008: Beijing Olympics' Success
Phelps was reportedly motivated by the national team's failure to win the men's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay since their Beijing 2008 and Rome 2009 titles.
2008: 2008 Games Individual Title Defense
Rebecca Soni and Phelps (twice) are the only swimmers to successfully defend an individual title from the 2008 Games.
April 9, 2009: Honored by Maryland House and Senate
On April 9, 2009, Michael Phelps was invited to appear before the Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland Senate, to be honored for his Olympic accomplishments.
2009: 2009 World Aquatics Championships Title
In 2009, Michael Phelps won his third consecutive title in the 100-meter butterfly at the World Aquatics Championships.
2009: 2009 National Championships
In 2009, at the National Championships, Michael Phelps shortened his program and won three individual events, including a world-record time in the 100-meter butterfly.
2009: Rome Championship Title
Phelps was reportedly motivated by the national team's failure to win the men's 4 × 100 m freestyle relay since their Beijing 2008 and Rome 2009 titles.
2010: 2010 National Championships
In 2010, at the National Championships, Phelps competed in five individual events, winning the 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly. He expressed dissatisfaction with his 200-meter butterfly performance. He finished second in the 200-meter individual medley and fourth in the 200-meter backstroke.
2010: 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships
In 2010, at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, Phelps won the 200-meter butterfly, 4x200-meter freestyle relay, 100-meter butterfly, and 4x100-meter freestyle relay, setting a championship record in the 100-meter freestyle during the 4x100-meter freestyle relay. He also won the 4x100-meter medley relay.
2010: Developed "im" Program
In 2010, the Michael Phelps Foundation, along with 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.
2011: 2011 World Aquatics Championships
In 2011, at the World Aquatics Championships in Shanghai, Phelps won a bronze medal in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay, a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle, and 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: July 31, 2012: Olympic Medals
On July 31, 2012, at the London Olympics, Michael Phelps won a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly and a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay, becoming the all-time record holder for most Olympic medals won, surpassing Larisa Latynina.
August 2, 2012: August 2, 2012: Olympic Gold
On August 2, 2012, Michael Phelps won his 16th Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter individual medley at the London Olympics, becoming the first male swimmer to win the same event in three consecutive Olympics.
2012: 2012 Summer Olympics in London
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Michael Phelps won four gold and two silver medals, adding to his Olympic medal count.
2012: Planned to Work with Foundation More After Retirement
Following the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Michael Phelps stated his intention to work more with his Foundation after retiring from competition.
2012: 2012 Olympics Conclusion
In 2012, Michael Phelps concluded the London Olympics by winning his 18th career gold medal and 22nd overall in the 4x100-meter medley relay. He was the most successful swimmer of the meet for the third consecutive Olympics. FINA honored Phelps for being the most decorated Olympian ever.
2012: Finished 2nd in the 200-meter Butterfly
In 2012, Michael Phelps finished second in the 200-meter butterfly at the London Olympics, losing the title to Chad le Clos.
2012: USA Olympic Team Member
In 2012, Michael Phelps was a member of the USA Olympic team.
April 2014: April 2014: Coming out of retirement
In April 2014, Michael Phelps announced his return to competitive swimming.
April 2014: Phelps's Comeback
In April 2014, Michael Phelps made a comeback to competitive swimming after retiring in 2012.
May 2014: 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, after coming out of retirement.
December 2015: December 2015 Winter Nationals
In December 2015, at the Winter Nationals in Federal Way, Michael Phelps won titles in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter individual medley, bringing his career total to 62 national titles.
2015: Bowman Hired at Arizona State University
In 2015, Bob Bowman was hired as the men's and women's swimming coach at Arizona State University.
2015: 2015 US National Championships
In 2015, after being dropped from the team for the World Aquatics Championships, Michael Phelps competed in the US National Championships, winning gold medals in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly, and 200-meter individual medley, achieving the fastest times in the world for that year in each event.
August 12, 2016: Second Retirement Announcement
On August 12, 2016, Michael Phelps announced his second retirement, having won more medals than 161 countries.
2016: 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Michael Phelps won five gold medals and one silver medal, marking his fourth consecutive Olympics as the most successful athlete.
2016: 2016 Olympic Trials Preparation
By the 2016 Olympic Trials, despite his age 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 was a member of the USA Olympic team.
2016: 2016 Summer Olympics Qualification
In 2016, at the US trials in Omaha for the Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps won the 200 m butterfly, 200 m individual medley, and 100 m butterfly events. He became the first American male swimmer to qualify for a fifth Olympics.
2016: Won Gold Medal in 4x100m Freestyle Relay
On August 7, 2016, Michael Phelps won his 19th Olympic gold medal in the 4 × 100 m freestyle relay, swimming the second leg with an impressive split time of 47.12.
2017: Joined Board of Medibio
In 2017, Michael Phelps joined the board of Medibio, a company focused on the diagnosis of mental health disorders.
2020: Federica Pellegrini Second Swimmer to Make Five Finals in Same Event
At the 2020 Olympics, Federica Pellegrini became the second swimmer in history to make five finals in the same event, a feat previously accomplished by Phelps.
July 23, 2023: Held World Records in Two Events
As of July 23, 2023, Michael Phelps holds world records in two events, after his last standing individual world record in the 400 m individual medley was broken.
August 17: Eighth Gold Medal
On August 17, Michael Phelps won his eighth gold medal, breaking Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals won in a single Olympic Games. Additionally, he broke the world record in the 4x100-meter medley relay.
