Five questions and answers about Michael Phelps

1) We saw his Mom and sisters on TV all the time during the Olympics. What about his Dad?

Michael and his father, Fred, are estranged. Fred and Debbie divorced when Michael was 11. When Phelps qualified for his first Olympics at age 15, Fred was at the Olympic swimming trials in Indianapolis and talked to reporters. But the rift between he and Michael widened after that, and now Fred is not a visible part of Michael’s life and Michael never mentions him publicly.

2) Would Phelps be a good at other sports?
With his lean, muscular body and seemingly inexhaustible endurance, he would seem to be a natural. But his rubbery flexible ankles – which help him so much in the pool – are an accident waiting to happen on dry land. According to his coach Bob Bowman only half-jokingly, Phelps can sprain his ankles when he walks.

3) Is Phelps friendly or arrogant?
Like so many uber-elite athletes (see Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, et al), he absolutely detests losing. But many of his competitors say he is very friendly and down-to-earth. “He’s a nice guy and a good bloke, and over the past few years I’ve never seen him change, which is nice,” said Australian swimmer Grant Hackett.

Michael Phelps embraces his teammates

4) Will Phelps really keep swimming through the 2012 London Olympics?
Almost assuredly yes –as long as he keeps improving. Sometimes elite athletes who have reached their peak lose their desire to put in the long hours to stay on top -- Aussie swimmer Ian Thorpe comes to mind. But as long as Phelps keeps setting world records – or thinks he can – he’ll keep going.

5) Will Phelps really retire at age 27 after London?
Probably so. He has consistently said that he will not be swimming competitively when he’s 30. But if Phelps really wants to increase the stature of the sport of swimming, he should stop saying he’s going to retire. In 2009 the IOC will pick the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics. If Chicago gets the nod, then Phelps might reconsider and stay in the sport until he’s 31 – which is 10 years younger than Dara Torres was here.