Sports Nicknames - The Baltimore Bullet

Michael Fred Phelps II is only known for 2 things: his ridiculous diet that could feed a town and his mountain of medals that could sink a boat. He is the most decorated Olympian of all time, dominating almost every swimming event he has attended.



Phelps began swimming at the age of 7, and by 10 he held a national record for his butterfly stroke. He was called to the Olympics at the age of 15, but did not win a medal in the 2000 Olympics. That would be the only one where he didn't. From 2001 onwards, there was not an event that Phelps attended that he didn't win a gold medal. For 10 years he set record after record and won medal after medal. After the 2012 London Olympics, he announced his retirement.

But "The Baltimore Bullet" wouldn't be retired for long. He returned in 2014 with success in the Pan Pacific Championships before dominating the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. After bearing the American flag at the opening ceremony and winning 5 gold medals, Phelps announced his retirement for real this time.

Phelps finished his swimming career with 28 Olympic medals, 21 Guinness World Records and 39 world record times in swimming. There is a reason he is often called the Greatest of All Time (GOAT).

In the modern day, Phelps spends his time helping his philanthropy (the Michael Phelps Foundation) to help kids learn the importance of being healthy and active. He has also now tried to bring attention to mental health, having suffered from ADHD and struggles in youth due to parents' divorce. But regardless of what he does now, he has left his name in just about every history book in the sporting world due to his success on the world stage.


--

Click for more Sports Nicknames