1st: missing father
During Michael Phelps’ races, camera shots of his mother Debbie were a fixture on NBC. The network showed endless replays of her falling to her seat after that memorable 100 butterfly finish. And after her son won his eighth gold medal, Debbie was all over NBC getting interviewed. Michael’s sisters, Hilary and Whitney were also in Beijing cheering on their little brother. All this coverage of the Phelps family led to one obvious question from our readers: Where was Dad?
It’s been well-documented that Debbie and Fred Phelps divorced when Michael was 9. Beyond that, little else has been publicized about Michael Phelps’ father.
Fred Phelps is a retired Maryland State Trooper, lives in a suburb of Baltimore and has remarried since divorcing Debbie Phelps in 1993. According to the Baltimore Sun, he watched the Olympics from his home, saying he was “on pins and needles” every time Michael dove into the pool. But, the New York Post reported that Fred has yet to call his son to congratulate him on his Olympic accomplishments.
Following the divorce, Fred Phelps had little contact with his son. Prior to the 2004 Olympics, Michael told a reporter that his father hadn’t even called to congratulate him when he set his first world record. However, the two reconciled prior to the Athens Games and Fred even made the trip to watch his son win six golds and two bronzes. Since then, however, the relationship has reportedly fractured.
Fred Phelps declines most interview requests, citing a desire to have the focus remain on his son.
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2nd: who’s the lucky girl?
Michael Phelps has made all the headlines in the pool after going one better than Mark Spitz and winning eight gold medals. Now the women in his life are coming under the spotlight.
Two girls have recently been linked with Beijing’s eight-time gold medalist: US swimmer Amanda Beard and British model Lily Donaldson.
Beard held the Olympic record for women’s 200 metres breaststroke after her win in Athens, but failed to reach the final in Beijing.
She recently posed nude for an anti-fur ad campaign by using the Olympics for maximum exposure. Like US tennis player Ashley Harkleroad, Beard has also posed nude for Playboy.
Beard, 26, denied that she was dating Phelps, 23, saying, “Eww, that’s nasty. I have never, ever hooked up with Michael Phelps,” Beard told a radio station in Phoenix yesterday.
“Come on, I have really good taste,” she said. “He’s really not my type.” Asked how the rumors have spread, Beard said she had no clue. “We don’t even talk to each other,” she said.
Phelps was equally emphatic in his denial. “I’m not dating Amanda Beard,” he told a TV show. “I think she has a boyfriend.”
21-year-old Donaldson is the surprise of the two candidates. She is regarded as one of the top models in the world, while she replaced Kate Moss as one of the faces of Burberry.
British beauty Donaldson also quashed rumors it’s her and Phelps has denied both liaisons. Now it’s Rice’s turn.
However, Phelps, has always played down his private life. Before the 2008 Games, the 23-year-old said: “I haven’t got a girlfriend and I can’t do the kind of things all my friends are doing as college students.
“I swim, listen to hip hop and work on my car. But, in my opinion, that’s still a pretty good life. I don’t know whether I’d want to trade it for anything.”
When it comes to Michael Phelps, Lindsay Lohan is apparently willing to postpone this whole lesbian thing. While interviewing Michael’s mom Debbie on Monday, Access Hollywood correspondent Billy Bush received a text message from Lohan, which he proceeded to show Debbie while on the air. Mom’s reaction was pretty great.
Lohan’s message: “Tell him he’s fu***** amazing, and I want to meet him.”
It made them all stronger — which came in handy when Billy showed Mama a text to her son from actress Lindsay Lohan. Billy handed his Blackberry to Mama for her to read Lindsay’s message to Michael, and her reaction was priceless.
“Pardon the language but…” Billy said as he showed her the text. Mama Phelps’ usually jubilant face turned horrified. “OK, Lindsay!!! — Delete! Delete! Delete!” Lindsay’s crime? Telling her son he’s, ‘bleepin’ amazing’!
Of course the question now is, will success spoil Michael Phelps? He can avoid the petri dish of bad habits and neurosis that is The Lohan and still have a wonderful fallback position with either Amanda Beard or Lily Donaldson.
Rumours abound that Phelps has been partying with a beauty since his record-breaking gold medal feats. Amanda Beard, Lily Donaldson and now Stephanie Rice are the names that keep cropping up.
When a shirtless Phelps got friendly with Rice at a promotion on Tuesday, it set tongues wagging.
Aussie swimming insiders said the pair were very close at a party organised by Ian Thorpe on Monday night.
And blogging sites are carrying pictures of Phelps cosying up to a dark-haired woman with comments hinting it is Rice.
The insiders also said the relationship between Rice and Eamon Sullivan was definitely over with the Aussie swimmer planning to go backpacking on his return from Beijing.
Asked if he’s dating anyone, Phelps said, “Part of my life is kept to myself. I’m able to relax and be with my friends. Those pretty much are the only people who really know the answer to that.”
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3rd: what music gets Phelps going before a race?
What is Michael Phelps listening to on his iPod?
In nearly every camera shot of Michael Phelps on dry land, he can be seen with iPod headphones dangling from his ears. The earbuds are a ubiquitous presence in the ready room and on the starting block; they’re just as much a part of Phelps’ ‘uniform’ as goggles and a swim cap. About two minutes prior to the start of a race, Phelps sheds the iPod along with his warm-ups. So, what is he listening to?
While his pre-race tracklist varies, Phelps has said that “I’m Me” by Lil’ Wayne has been on his playlist in Beijing. The track, off Weezy’s EP “The Leak” features the line:
Yes I am the best/and no I ain’t positive I’m definite/I know the game like I’m reffing it
That’s about the only lyric that’s printable on a family blog.
Other artists that populate Phelps’ iPod include: Jay-Z, Young Jeezy, Eminem and Outkast. (What, no ‘Pac?) Occasionally, he’ll throw some techno into the mix, but usually keeps things rap-centric. Phelps doesn’t speak much about the specific songs he’s listening to, but he did tell NBC in 2004 that Eminem’s “‘Til I Collapse” was on his most-played list at Athens. In 2005, he created a playlist for the website Rhapsody that included the songs “Roses” by Outkast, “Burn” by Usher, “Overnight Celebrity” by Twista and “Smile” by G-Unit.
