Rio as special as Beijing Olympics: Phelps
| Date :27-Mar-2019 |
NEW DELHI,
A RECORD-BREAKING 28 medals in his kitty, the most decorated Olympian Michael Phelps says although Beijing Olympics was the greatest for him the “climb up the mountain” to the Rio Games made it equally special. Phelps won a staggering eight gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning all the events he participated in. In the 2012 London Games, the ace swimmer went on to win four gold and two silver medals.
The American legend’s personal life faced various issues as he went into depression after the 2012 Games, and he later revealed having contemplated suicide. Phelps announced retirement but two years later returned to the sport in 2014. He went on to win six medals — five gold and a silver — in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“The 2008 Olympics was stats-wise the best. Hard to say it wasn’t the greatest because I won eight medals but coming back to competing in Rio and the journey to it, that climb up the mountain was an amazing process. It was very different from Beijing but I loved it just as much,” Phelps said. Talking about his journey, Phelps said it was extremely challenging for him to make a comeback but the belief he had on himself made it possible. “The 2012 Olympics wasn’t my best form. It was challenging for me coming off 2008, not really having a goal not knowing where I was going was tough.”