My Michael Phelps Obsession

Beijing 2008

My eyes popped out of my head as he out touched the wall and the number 1 popped up next to the United States Flag. Phelps had just moved up from fifth to winning the gold in a matter of 10 meter. He shot is arm in the air and screamed out his victory. The times popped up and at the very top was his name next to the flag and the time of 50.58.My eyes watered as he had just won his seventh medal at the Beijing Games and he has just matched the Olympic record for most medals in a single Olympics. I'm sure he will break it because Michael Phelps is a man who makes history.

He stood one the poutium waiting to have the circular piece of gold that dangled from a band that repersented that he was number one and deserved where he stood. He smilied with pride, hand on his heart as the national athem rang through the aquatic center.

It was the next day and once again we were watching the Phelps and the other three USA swimmers slapping their arms and shaking out their legs to get ready for the 4x100 freestyle relay.  Next to them was their man rival, France, were some trash talk between the two had taken place. I knew they would pull it off though Phelps wouldn't let me down.

They did it Lezak touched! He won it! US got the gold! Jason Lezak, the last leg of the relay, had just out touched Alain Bernard after being a half a body lenght with less than thirty seconds in the race. Definatley the closest race in history but wasn't that what the Olympics was for to make and break history. To see the look on their faces and how excited they were and to see the look on the French faces and how dissapointed and shocked they were was uncanny. At that moment I knew I wanted to be an Olympian like Michael Phelps. 

Four year later

"You ready for the Olympics?" My best friend and trainer Kayla asked as we made another lap around the track watching the sun finally rise after running in the early darkness of the morning for a while.

 The London Olympics where coming up and Phelps had decided to swim after much back and fourth of "early retirement". Luckily for me he was swimming.

"Is that even a question Kayla I have been following Phelps since he first arrived in Bejing. I can't wait to see what he will do this year." I imagined him standing on the tallest potium waiting for the gold that he deserved. We did ended the mile and grabbed our bags before heading over to the pool.

"I know I was just kidding I know how you are obsessed with him." She responded as she redid her ponytail.

"He's my idol and the only reason your even here." I had to admit it Michael Phelps was the reason I wanted to be in the Olympics.

"That's right now go get your suit on we have work to do."

"Oh crap 1:57.27" Kayla read the stopwatch after I just finished a 200 free sprint.

"That's not fast enough!" I showed my disappointment as I splashed the water.

Kayla adjusted one eyebrow higher than the other and looked at me puzzeled. "Not fast enough? Winnie that was under two minutes in a practice swim that was plenty fast."

"Michael has 1:42.96 in his 200 hundred!" I explained talking as if my hero was my old pal.

"Let's remember that he was 24 when he did that and you are only 15."

"Why are you making excuses for me that wasn't fast enough and you know it!" I pulled myself out of the pool and remove my cap and goggles that were stuck to my head from three hours in the pool. I was determined to become faster.

"Winnie what has gotten into you? You know that was a great time why are you bugging?" I was too irritated by my time I just went into the locker room to get changed for the gym. The Olympics where started in a week and I was so excited to see Michael again but I just I wished that I was able to be there with him on the pool deck waiting for my event. I think thats why I was so angry about my time because I knew it wasn't even fast enough to make it to the trials.