The world of American swimming has been rocked by a public feud between Olympic legend Michael Phelps and USA Swimming, the sport’s governing body in the United States. Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with 28 medals, including 23 golds, has openly accused USA Swimming of treating him like a “piece of meat” throughout his illustrious career. The sharp criticism comes in the wake of a disappointing performance by the U.S. team at the recent Aquatics World Championship in Singapore, where America’s long-standing dominance in the pool was challenged.

The controversy began when Phelps, alongside fellow Olympic champion Ryan Lochte, voiced concerns over USA Swimming’s leadership and direction following the championship. Despite the U.S. leading the medal table early on, China ultimately surpassed them, clinching 15 gold medals and 37 overall medals to claim the top spot. This marked a significant shift, as the U.S. has historically dominated international swimming competitions. Phelps and Lochte took to social media, sharing a meme depicting the “funeral of American swimming,” a pointed jab at what they perceive as a decline in the sport’s national standing.

Adding fuel to the fire, three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines also criticized USA Swimming, highlighting the organization’s lack of a permanent CEO as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics loom just three years away. The absence of stable leadership, combined with the team’s performance in Singapore, prompted a swift response from USA Swimming. Interim CEO Bob Vincent issued a statement expressing disappointment at the timing of the critiques, noting that the team had faced significant challenges, including a wave of acute gastroenteritis contracted during a training camp in Thailand. “We respect and value the opinions of Rowdy, Michael, Ryan, and all USA Swimming alums,” the statement read. “We are saddened and disappointed at the timing of the comments. The USA Swimming team battled severe illness in Singapore, and these comments added public scrutiny to an already challenging situation for our athletes and coaches.”

Phelps, however, was unswayed by the organization’s response. Commenting on an Instagram post by the Big Friendly Swim Podcast, he doubled down on his criticism, stating, “Maybe a false statement, because I know they didn’t reach out to Rowdy. They’ve shoved us out the door for years. Treated me like a piece of meat throughout my career. Hopefully it changes someday.” His words reflect a deep frustration, not only with the organization’s current state but with what he perceives as a long history of disregard for its athletes.

The tension didn’t end there. Current U.S. swimmer Lilly King, a prominent figure in the sport, responded to Phelps and Lochte’s criticisms with a pointed social media jab after a successful medal-winning night in Singapore. “You have been real quiet tonight,” she wrote, tagging the two Olympic icons. Phelps fired back, defending his stance while emphasizing his pride in the team’s efforts. “We should be so proud of how the team swam as a whole …. Right? Apologies for having higher expectations for the leadership of the team. My opinions were way off. USA Swimming has what they finally want: me to ‘stay in my lane’,” he wrote, dripping with sarcasm. “They will continue to help the kids reach childhood dreams by their continued support.”

This public spat comes on the heels of a lackluster U.S. performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the team secured only eight gold medals—their lowest total since the 1988 Seoul Games. The combination of health setbacks, leadership gaps, and now vocal criticism from some of the sport’s biggest names has cast a spotlight on USA Swimming’s challenges. While Vincent’s statement expressed confidence in the organization’s direction under newly appointed National Team Managing Director Greg Meehan, the ongoing discord suggests deeper issues within the sport’s governance.

As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approach, the pressure is mounting for USA Swimming to address these concerns and restore its reputation as a global powerhouse. For Phelps, Lochte, and others, the fight is not just about medals but about ensuring the next generation of swimmers is supported by a system that values them as more than just competitors in the pool.