Michael Phelps is not sure her son succeeds because of the ‘weak system’ of the US
The legend of Michael Phelps publicly criticized the leader of the weak American swimming federation and called for a comprehensive reform after many years of decline in the system
“I have witnessed so many teammates struggling to play in the sport they love without receiving the necessary support,” Phelps wrote in the long post above.InstagramOn August 14. “I also found that swimming was struggling to bring the number of members back before the pandemic. I could not continue to pretend that this system worked well just because there was a medal.”
The fisherman owns a total of 28 Olympic medals that admit that he is not sure the four sons pursue swimming in the current context in the US. Phelps said that these shortcomings have been around for a long time but “the cracks have been growing in the past 9 years”. He also said that in his career, he often ignored his voice, asked “Be grateful for the opportunity to play” and “keep silent to avoid trouble”.
Michael Phelps and his wife Nicole Phelps and four sons. Image:Instagram / Nicole Phelps
Phelps emphasized the respect for US athletes at the World Championship, affirming his criticism aimed at the system and leadership, not the players.
The 40 -year -old former Fisherman proposed many reforms such as independent review of the Board of Directors, increasing transparency, improving services for athletes, strengthening the youth programs and prioritizing the needs of the top athletes than the coach. “My door is always open and there are many things to do,” Phelps affirmed, ready to participate in reform.
Phelps compares the Olympic achievements of the US swimming team for nearly two decades. From the peak in Rio 2016 with 33 medals, including 16 gold medals, the US gradually slowed down. In Tokyo 2020, the United States still tops the pound of swimming with 30 medals, but there are only 11 gold medals.
By Paris 2024, the achievement continued to decrease to 28 medals (the lowest since Athens 2004), including 8 gold medals – the lowest level since Seoul 1988, and only australia more than one gold medal. This is also the first time in two decades, the United States has not been at the top of some strong content such as 4x100m -mixed male and 200m of female butterfly.
If looking further, the achievement in Paris was even less than the emerging Phelps in Athens 2004 (28 medals with 12 gold medals) and the peak period in Beijing 2008 (31 medals with 12 gold medals) or London 2012 (31 medals with 16 gold medals).
Michael Phelps poses with all Olympic medals. Image:Sports Illustrated
After the world championship just took place in Singapore, Ryan LochtePost a tombstoneTo criticize the home team’s achievements. Phelps later shared this post with the comment: “Is this a wake -up bell that the US swimming is in need?”.
Michael PhelpsConsidered the greatest Olympic history, with a total of 28 medals, including 23 gold medals through 5 Olympics (2000-2016). He also holds many world records and is a symbol of the success of the American swimming village for more than a decade.
