The Best Swimmer in History

He eats 12,000 calories a day, a lot by any stretch of the imagination.

He keeps company with the president of the United States, and is fast becoming a marketing icon on the level of Tiger Woods. OK, perhaps that's going a bit too far. Nobody is quite at that level.

And while Michael Phelps life is not perfect, it may be hard to see otherwise. Winning eight gold medals, becoming the most decorated athlete in Olympics history, and being the golden boy of the media mean things are definitely going his way.

But how does one compete so well for so long at this world-class level? What drives someone to put up with the hours, the pain and the loneliness to grab the spotlight once every four years?

Phelps as a boy
Born June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Md., Phelps grappled with some of the same issues with which many American boys contend. He had trouble keeping his focus. He was diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

In other words, young Mikey had a lot of energy to burn. Because of that, and perhaps influenced by his older sisters, the pool soon became an outlet for all his excessive energy.

At seven, he began toiling away, spending hours in the pool, honing his skills. It paid off at the age of 10, when he broke a national record in his age group.

Then, just five short years later, he would go from being judged in his age group to being a world-class swimmer capable of competing at the highest level on the world's greatest stage.

The Sydney Olympics
It was during his first Olympics in 2000 that the world got its first glimpse of a very young and extremely green Michael Phelps. At the age of 15, Phelps was one of the youngest swimmers the United States of America had ever sent to an Olympic competition. The task proved not to be easy.

Phelps did not have his eyes set on Mark Spitz's record of eight gold medals. He swam in one event, the 200-meter butterfly, his favorite stroke and his favorite distance. But he was not the favorite that day. In fact, Phelps finished in fifth and failed to medal.

In some ways, the Sydney Olympics may have been bad timing, or perhaps he had an off day. Five months after those Olympic games, his drive would push him to set theh 200-meter butterfly world record.

Subsequent Olympics
Going into the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, Phelps was the talk of the world. Finally, there was a serious contender to Spitz's record. Phelps would need to win gold in every event he entered to do it, but it could be done. Though he had never medaled in an Olympic competition, he was now regarded to be the most talented swimmer of his generation.

The media frenzy grew as Phelps tagged eight events and focused in on the record, eight golds in one Olympics. Finally, the boy who could not focus, had a singular drive and determination. It reached through his entire fabric. The record, some had said, was untouchable, never to be matched.

Those individuals may have felt justified in their doubts after Phelps walked away with only six gold medals and two bronze. He finished third in both the 200-meter freestyle and 4x100 freestyle relay.

But China in 2008 would be the true test. Phelps, now 23 years old, was entering the prime of his career. This would be the strongest he would ever be. China would prove to be his best opportunity.

And Phelps delivered. Whether it was by setting the world record with daylight over a happless field or barely touching the wall and winning by a hundredth of a second, Phelps did win. Phelps achieved Spitz's record, then passed with eight gold medals in a single Olympic games.

Now, many say Phelps has set the bar to a height that is unattainable. Spitz must laugh at such a statement. As long as there are records, there will come along someone, at some point, who can better them.

Motivation
There has been much discussion about Phelps' drive and determination. Stories recently have centered around the "billboard material" he uses when he reads another competitor talking him down.

But to say that is what motivates Phelps is simplifying the matter. Phelps does not use anger to to compete or win. He uses it as satisfaction.

Like all great champions, Phelps is a competitor. There is no greater reward for him than getting in the water and proving he is the best at what he does.

And he has that certain trait that all great champions possess. He hates losing.

"Not accomplishing a goal, no matter what it is for me, just makes me want it that much more," he told USA Today before the 2008 games in Beijing.

Even from the beginning of his swimming career, from his first races where he would slam his goggles down on the pool deck in disgust when he didn't finish first, Phelps had that quality that separates a champion from the rest of the world's great athletes.

Problems
Still, as mentioned before Phelps is not perfect. He has also had his share of problems over the years. Though he is riding high and has been named, by some, the best swimmer of all time, there are always personal struggles to overcome.

One of those struggles is Phelps' relationship with his father. The breakdown in that relationship is obvious. In 2004, his father said he and his son did not speak to each other.

When asked about his son's accomplishments in 2008, his father said he had not yet had the chance to congratulate his son, though he did say he was very proud of him.

After Athens in 2004, Phelps pleaded guilty to driving while impaired. Admitting his poor judgment, he said he let his family, himself and his country down.

In 2007, he fell and broke a wrist. At the time, he feared it would be the end of his swimming career - no record, no Olympics, no more glory.

However, his performance in the 2008 Olympic Games may persuade him he still has a shot at continuing his career. The rest of the world is already convinced.