WHAT MADE MICHAEL PHELPS SO GOOD? (ANATOMY OF A CHAMPION)

Michael Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, a swimmer whose stunning performances redefined what was possible in the sport. But what was the secret to his phenomenal success?

Apart from an incredible amount of hard work, a champion's mindset, and a legendary coaching partnership, Phelps was also blessed with a unique set of physical gifts that made him a near-perfect swimming machine. This post will break down the key elements, from his biology to the controversial technology that helped make him a legend.

Dive Into: The Anatomy of a Champion

• The Biological Blueprint: A Body Built for Swimming
• The Tech Advantage: The LZR "Super Suit" Era
• The Intangibles: Work Ethic and Support
• A Look Back at the Legend (🎥 Watch Video)
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Biological Blueprint: A Body Built for Swimming

For starters, biology had a lot to do with Phelps' success. His body seemed almost engineered for the water.

• Torso and Arm Span: His trunk is unusually long and his legs are relatively short for his 193 cm (6'4") height. Combined with an incredible 2-meter (6'7") arm span that was wider than he was tall, this gave him unmatched reach and a naturally high, streamlined position in the water.

• Hands and Feet: His hands are quite large, allowing him to pull a huge amount of water. His size 49.5 (14) feet are also unusually large for his height, acting as powerful fins.

• Hyper-Flexible Ankles: Perhaps his biggest secret weapon, Phelps' ankles could bend by 15 percent more than the average person's. This hyper-flexibility allowed him to use his feet like flippers, generating a powerful whip from every kick.

The Tech Advantage: The LZR "Super Suit" Era

The second factor, particularly during his dominant 2008 Beijing Olympics, was the now-infamous LZR Speedo 'super suit'.

Made from special polyurethane panels, these full-body suits dramatically reduced drag and were thought to improve speed by about 2%. This technology was so effective that it led to an unprecedented 56 new world records in 2008 alone. While most top swimmers had access to them, these suits were incredibly expensive, fragile (often lasting only a few swims), and notoriously difficult to put on.

The "super suit" era was so dominant that FINA, swimming's governing body, banned all non-textile suits in 2010 to return the focus to the athlete's natural ability.

The Intangibles: Work Ethic and Support

Finally, beyond his physical gifts, Phelps had the intangibles of a true champion. He was known for his relentless work ethic, fierce determination, and the ability to dream big.

He also had a massive support system, from nutritionists and sports psychologists to the best coaching in the world. While it's easy to focus on his physical advantages, it was this combination of hard work and a champion's mindset that truly set him apart.

A Look Back at the Legend (🎥 Watch Video)

Here is a look at how Michael's butterfly stroke has changed since the dominant era of Mark Spitz.

BTW, did you know his middle name was Fred? I'd say he does look more like Fred than Michael.