Besides Phelps athletic ability, something really impressive is how he has handled life. We've read in recent articles about how his father left the family when Michael was young and how his dad has not had much communication with him. In many young men, this could seriously result in self-doubt. Isn't it impressive how Michael has maintained a belief in himself yet been so humble?
He also has ADHD, at least he did as a child, so is it not extremely impressive how he has been able to overcome this and keep his focus? I read somewhere that he asked his mom to take him off his medication when he was only 11.
Michael has had to overcome things in life that some people might use as an excuse for their misbehavior or as an explaination for their failure to succeed. In light of all of this, aren't the 8 golds all the more impressive?
I am not so certain about all this "overcoming all odds" stuff with Phelps. It is true that ADD and the so called autism spectrum disorders can have a major impact on a persons ability to focus and achieve perfection in one subject. On the same habd, many of the most talented people in history have been recently classified with similar issues (Motzart and Thomas Edison to name a few).
I am not trying to take away from Phelps, he is an amazing athlete and a tribute to extreme dedication and hard work. But lets not forget that a lot of this talent is in his genetics (both his sister were stand out swimmers, one might have been an Olympian if not for injury). There is no doubt this guy was designed to swim! If Michael Phelps had dedicated this much effort to basketball or track - I guarantee you would have never even heard his name.
I am not so certain about all this "overcoming all odds" stuff with Phelps. It is true that ADD and the so called autism spectrum disorders can have a major impact on a persons ability to focus and achieve perfection in one subject. On the same habd, many of the most talented people in history have been recently classified with similar issues (Motzart and Thomas Edison to name a few).
I am not trying to take away from Phelps, he is an amazing athlete and a tribute to extreme dedication and hard work. But lets not forget that a lot of this talent is in his genetics (both his sister were stand out swimmers, one might have been an Olympian if not for injury). There is no doubt this guy was designed to swim! If Michael Phelps had dedicated this much effort to basketball or track - I guarantee you would have never even heard his name.
