We all love a good story of metamorphosis and redemption. It is no coincidence that the 554 athletes that make up the American expedition voted for Michael Phelps whose flag will participate next Friday at the opening ceremony of the Games in Rio in the Maracana stadium.
At 31 years, the Baltimore swimmer has earned the consideration as a symbol of a generation. Few athletes in the long Olympic history of the United States have climbed higher and have fallen lower to return to recover and do what distinguishes the truly great in a dizzying cycle of moral triumph, frustration and learning.
Phelps, who retains his primary naivete, is much more unsure as an athlete as a counterpart of his tremendous career. You will not remember the swimmer having boasted of being the man with the most medals in the history of the Games, 18 gold medals out of a total of 22. Nor boasts of his fifth participation, which makes him the Olympics swimmer with more presence in the Games behind him.
When he remembered how he was announced to be be the flag bearer, said this entire patriotic reply. “I never dreamed I had a chance to carry the flag,” he said. “When on Tuesday night they told me I was elected I think I draw the biggest smile one could imagine.”
“Resigning never crossed my mind” he added, ” I asked Bob what he thought and he told me to stay off my feet as much as possible, because it could affect my rest. Sorry, Bob, but I will not hold back! “.
Bob is Bob Bowman, who sat beside him, was trying hard not to laugh. The conference room of the Olympic Park was mobbed by hundreds of media people when Phelps appeared. They asked how he felt as the idol of consideration by so many athletes from so many countries and turned the issue expressing his admiration for personalities discovered. “This morning”, he said, “I saw Novak Djokovic walking down the street in the middle of the Olympic Village. I said, ‘I want a picture with him!’. It’s great. These Games for me are ten times more poignant. Having the opportunity to lead the best team in the world! In 1992 and 1996 I saw the ceremonies on television and my hair stood on end!. “
The talented swimmer said that this year is much more than the medals “I am honored to have been chosen, proud to represent the United States, and very impressed by the significance of wearing the flag and what it represents. In Sydney he just wanted to be on the team; In Athens he wanted to win a gold medal for his country; Beijing he aspired to do something nobody had ever done. “I wanted to make history in London. And now I want to give everything in the inaugural parade, represent America in the best way possible and make my family proud of me. This time it is much more than medals. “
Arrested for drunk driving, Phelps went through an existential crisis that led him to a rehabilitation clinic in late 2014. The therapy led to a reunion with his father, Fred, who had distanced himself in 2008. He says the experience of reconciliation , coupled with the birth of his son Boomer in May, will give a new meaning to everything.
“Personal and family changes have made up my mind in the pool,” he said. “Now I enjoy more of everything. Thanks to the people who have been with me these last two years have been the greatest of my life. For many reasons”.
Nathan Adrian, the captain of the swim team, said the meeting with the captains of other disciplines to defend the candidacy of Phelps. “Virtually no discrepancies when choosing to Michael,” Adrian said, “because it is a person who inspires immediate respect of the entire US delegation. There is no most decorated Olympian. There is nobody who can represent us better. “
Michael Phelps swimming transformed the sport completely there is a before and a very clear after from the athlete, and contributed tremendously to make it a prime time sport. But he could never attend an opening ceremony because the next day he had to always compete. In Rio he will not be able to resist wearing the flag and a big smile on his face.
