Michael Phelps Bows Out – Inspiring The Next Generation 

By Jatinder Singh, Associate Partner & Mentorship Coach, Lighthouse International

As Michael Phelps bows out of Olympic swimming – he leaves a massive legacy; not only in terms of what he has won personally, but indeed also those he has inspired, to strive and become swimming champions themselves. What an incredible journey it has been for him! With Rio as his goal, he managed to overcome his personal demons and challenges, renew his passion for swimming, and has now retired on a high.

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In a wonderful twist of fate, Mr Phelps lost his penultimate race to 21 year old Joseph Schooling, who had idolised him as a child. They first met when Mr Schooling was 9 years old, when Michael Phelps and the USA squad visited his swimming club, on route to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Indeed Michael Phelps has been a hero to a long line of swimmers, including Chad Le Clos who beat Mr Phelps in the 2012 London games, and fellow American swimming sensation Katie Ledecky.

Here are a couple of photos of Joseph Schooling and Katie Ledecky with Michael Phelps when they were children. 🙂

Michale Phelps commented on his role as a sports idol in the Guardian:

“I wanted to change the sport of swimming. With the people we have in the sport now I think you are seeing it. [I wanted kids] to believe in themselves, to not be afraid to know that the sky is the limit..Being able to continue to change the sport is something I am looking forward to. Daring kids to dream. That’s the only reason why I’m sitting here. I was a little kid with a dream.”

True legends don’t only achieve their own goals – they create the next generation of leaders and stars that follow in their footsteps! Michael Phelps has shown just how much he takes this role seriously. He’s a wonderful example of a sports star who has the empathy to see kids with the same dreams he once had, and then takes the time to inspire them. We look forward to seeing what further work Michael Phelps will undertake, in order to inspire even more children in the years ahead.

Here’s a glimpse into what Michael Phelps went through to get to this year’s Olympics…

What legends have inspired you in your life? Share in the comments below…

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