Michael Phelps's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Michael Phelps.

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

1912: Otto Farr's Record

In 1912, Otto Farr set the record for the 100 backstroke world record.

1920: Duke Kahanamoku's Olympic Record

In 1920, Duke Kahanamoku set the record for the oldest male champion in Olympic swimming history, a record later broken by Michael Phelps in 2016.

1926: Otto Farr's Record

In 1926, Otto Farr's held the 100 backstroke world record.

1932: Ralph Flanagan

In 1932, Ralph Flanagan was the youngest male to make a U.S. Olympic swim team, a record that stood until Michael Phelps qualified in 2000.

1972: Mark Spitz's Record

In 1972, Mark Spitz set a record by achieving seven first-place finishes at a single Olympic Games. This record was later broken by Michael Phelps in 2008.

1980: Eric Heiden's Record

In the 1980 Winter Olympics, Eric Heiden set the record for individual gold medals at a single Games.

1992: Vitaly Scherbo's Record

In the 1992 Summer Games, Vitaly Scherbo equaled the record for individual gold medals at a single Games.

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.

2001: Ian Thorpe's Record

In 2001, Ian Thorpe set a record of six gold medals at the World Championships.

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: 2003 record

In 2003, Michael Phelps set a record of 1:55.94 in the 200-meter individual medley.

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: First Place in 200-meter Butterfly

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

2004: 2004 Olympic Games in Athens

In 2004, at the Olympic Games in Athens, the United States set a record in the 4x100-meter medley relay.

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: Ian Crocker's Record

In 2005, Ian Crocker set a world-record time of 50.40 seconds in the 100-meter butterfly.

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.

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: 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: 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: Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award

In 2008, Phelps earned Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award due to his unprecedented Olympic success in the Beijing Games.

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.

April 9, 2009: Honored by Maryland House of Delegates 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

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.

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 28, 2012: 2012 Summer Olympics - 400-meter individual medley prelims

On July 28, 2012, at the Summer Olympics, Michael Phelps placed eighth in the prelims for the 400-meter individual medley, qualifying last for the final. His time was well off his world record set four years earlier in Beijing.

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: 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: World Record at Alfred Dunhill Links Championship

In 2012, Michael Phelps, paired with Paul Casey, set the world record for the longest televised putt at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, sinking a putt from 159 feet away.

2012: FINA Swimmer of the Year Award

In 2012, Phelps won the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award for his international titles and record-breaking performances.

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.

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.

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: FINA Swimmer of the Year Award

In 2016, Phelps won the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award for his international titles and record-breaking performances.

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.

2017: Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award

In 2017, Phelps won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.

August 21, 2018: Age Group Records

As of August 21, 2018, Phelps still held 11 age group records, eight in long course, and three in short course.

2020: Federica Pellegrini Becomes Second Swimmer to Make Five Finals

At the 2020 Olympics, Federica Pellegrini became the second swimmer in history to make five finals in the same event, a feat Phelps had achieved previously.

July 23, 2023: World Records Held

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.