Linha do tempo by HELENA LOPES CARDOSO

June 30, 1985

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Michael Fred Phelps II is born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

1996

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Starts swimming at age 11, encouraged by his mother to manage his energy and ADHD.

2000 (September)

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At 15 years old, competes in the Sydney Olympics. He finishes 5th in the 200m butterfly—no medals, but gains international attention.

2001 (March)

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Breaks the world record in the 200m butterfly at age 15, becoming the youngest male swimmer in history to set a world record.

2004 (August)

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At the Athens Olympics, wins 6 gold medals (100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m medley, 400m medley, 4x200m freestyle relay) and 2 bronze medals. Becomes a global superstar.

2008 (August)

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At the Beijing Olympics, Phelps wins an unprecedented 8 gold medals in a single Olympics, breaking Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of 7. Becomes the most successful athlete at a single Olympic Games.

2012 (July–August)

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In the London Olympics, Phelps wins 4 golds (100m butterfly, 200m medley, 4x100m medley relay, 4x200m freestyle relay) and 2 silvers. Retires after the Games with a total of 22 Olympic medals.

2014

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Comes out of retirement to begin training for one final Olympics

2016 (August)

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Competes in his fifth Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, and wins 5 gold medals and 1 silver. His final Olympic medal count reaches 23 golds, 3 silvers, and 2 bronzes – 28 medals total, a record that still stands.

August 2016

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Officially retires from competitive swimming.

2017

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Becomes a mental health advocate, publicly discussing his struggles with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts after retiring.

2020

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Produces and features in the HBO documentary "The Weight of Gold", focusing on mental health challenges faced by Olympic athletes.

Today

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Phelps works on mental health awareness through the Michael Phelps Foundation, focusing on healthy living and emotional well-being for children and athletes.