Michael Phelps slammed USA Swimming management in detailed criticism

Decorated United States swimmer Michael Phelps known as out USA Swimming but once more, this time going into nice element about his perception this system is declining. 

Phelps posted a prolonged, five-page assertion on Instagram, doubling down on his name for motion inside the group. 

“I’ve watched too many teammates struggle to compete in a sport they love without the support they need,” Phelps wrote. “I’ve also seen the sport struggle to return its membership numbers to pre-pandemic levels, and I’m done pretending this system works just because it produces medals. 

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“Swimming, to me, was all the time about extra than simply medals – it’s purported to be an atmosphere that builds champions out and in of the pool. As a Dad to 4 younger boys, it pains me to say that I’m undecided if I’d need my sons to be part of this sport at a aggressive degree. Yes, swimming modified my life, nevertheless it additionally triggered a whole lot of heartache, and its present state makes me each unhappy and offended.”

Phelps began his post by clarifying that he wasn’t calling out the actual swimmers in the organization with his initial critique, but rather leadership outside the pool. 

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He pointed out the team’s decline in performance, saying Team USA won just 44% of medals at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the lowest mark for the United States since 1988. 

And while Phelps referenced money as being a factor in USA Swimming’s decline, he accused the organization of “poor operational controls and weak management.”

Phelps didn’t point the finger without offering himself and certain recommendations as solutions. First, he vowed he would be a resource for USA Swimming.  

“My door is open and there’s work to be completed,” he wrote. 

He also recommended that USA Swimming hold an independent review of the entire organization. He believes an athletes-first mentality needs to be adopted to support swimmers competing at the highest level. At the same time, offering support to those young swimmers to reach that level is imperative in his eyes. 

Phelps’ initial post was about former Team USA swimmer Ryan Lochte, a teammate of his during his Olympic gold-medal days. Lochte had sent an image where a funeral was being held for USA Swimming, with Phelps asking if the 2025 World Championships would be a “wake-up name” for the organization. 

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Team USA tallied nine gold medals at the World Championships, which led all countries involved in the pool. They had 29 total medals, which was also first among participating nations. 

Phelps is one of the best Olympians, let alone swimmers, of all time. He collected 23 gold medals over his illustrious career, which remains an Olympic record. 

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