Whenever people ask the ever ready question, "How was your summer?" most Hopkins students spin yarns about internships, research opportunities or travel. Towson native and future Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps has a much more interesting story to tell, however.
Ten minutes away from the Homewood campus is an area called Mt. Washington. Tucked into the town is Meadowbrook, the home of the world renowned North Baltimore Aquatic Club (NBAC). Founder and CEO Murray Stephens, who was an Olympic Team Coach in the '80s, started the Club in 1968.
Since then, the NBAC has developed 10 Olympic athletes who have won a total of one bronze, two silver, and five gold medals in the Olympic Games. In addition, NBAC swimmers hold eight World Records, 11 American Records, eight USA Swimming National Champions, 26 National Titles, two USA Swimming Coaches of the Year, two USA World Championship Team Coaches, two National Championship women's teams ('94 and '96).
And that's the condensed version of the record of NBAC's achievements.
NBAC's most recent source of recognition is Phelps, who turned 18 at the end of June, and is poised to become the greatest swimmer of all time.
And he lives right down the road, only five miles away from Hopkins, in a neighborhood called Rodgers Forge. Phelps graduated from Towson High School in 2003; he's not attending college this year in preparation for Athens. He spent his summer training and competing -- training every day, twice a day, at Meadowbrook.
Already, Phelps has earned a place in the history books. It started two and a half years ago in Austin, Tex. when Phelps became the youngest man ever to set a world record.
He was just 15 years, 9 months old in March 2001 when he broke the 200-meter butterfly world record.
This past July, Phelps went to the World Championships in Barcelona. The 18-year-old surpassed legendary US swim icon Mark Spitz for the most world records (five) set in individual events at a single swim meet.
He also became the first swimmer ever to set two world records in one day, actually in less then 50 minutes on July 27, 2003 when he lowered the standards in the 100-meter butterfly and 200-meter individual medley. He won three individual gold medals and set an unprecedented five world records -- in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly and the 200 (two) and 400-meter individual medley -- at Worlds.
Long recognized for his butterfly, Phelps has been improving in his freestyle as well in preparation for Athens.
"My 200-meter and 400-meter [freestyle events] have improved a lot over the past year," said Phelps.
He set American records in the 200 and 400-meter freestyle at US Nationals in August. Currently, he has set eight records this year.
"We've known about Michael for a long time, but Barcelona served as his international coming-out party," said Stu Isaac, the Speedo executive whose offer of an endorsement contract in 2001 led Phelps to go professional, thus rendering him ineligible for collegiate swimming.
"He has been able to break out of a normal high school existence. The story will continue to be, here's an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary talent," said Isaac.
With that contract, Phelps became the youngest American swimmer ever to turn professional, at 16 years, 3 months in October 2001.
A stirring of interest in Phelps exists beyond the swimming world. He will be among the handful of athletes featured by Visa in its marketing connected with the Athens games. He's also been dubbed "NBC's Poster Boy" for the 2004 Olympics.
Phelps started swimming for the North Baltimore Aquatic Club when he was 7 years of age. At seven, Michael says he " hated putting [his] face in the water." Reflecting on the sport of swimming, Michael feels it has "helped to build my character and has made me a very responsible and strong individual."
Indeed, few athletes have come such a long way and perhaps no one is more deserving of his fame.
Next up on this amazing young man's schedule? Defeating the so-called Thorpedo -- world champion Ian Thorpe -- at the Qantas Skins in Sydney on Nov. 26 and the three-day FINA World Cup meeting in Melbourne, Australia from Nov. 28.
"I'm a big racer and I want to race the best," Phelps said. "Ian's the best in the world in his events."
The November visit will likely be Phelps's only overseas competition between now and Athens. His program, under Coach Bowman, will remain "top secret" until the US Olympic trials in just under one year.
Then, it's on to Athens for the start of the Olympic Games on Aug. 13, 2004.
Michael will be chasing legendary American swimmer Mark Spitz who won a record seven gold medals in Munich, West Germany in 1972. Spitz's feat has been revered as unmatchable in the past three decades.
Until now.
Keep your eyes peeled for Phelps when the Olympics kickoff next summer. You very well might watch history in the making.
