Michael Phelps and Ian Crocker
Michael Phelps has inspired us with his incredilble accomplishments in the pool, winning five gold medals and two bronze. Now, Phelps has inspired us outside the pool by magnanimously giving up his spot on the on the 400-meter medley relay team to Ian Crocker — whom Phelps had just beaten in the 100 meter butterfly.
Phelps needed to rally to beat Crocker, who held the world record and defeated him at both the world championships and the U.S. trials. Phelps had become so obsessed with beating Crocker that he taped a picture of Crocker to his bedroom ceiling for motivation.
"It's tough to give up the relay. It really is," Phelps said. "But Ian is one of the greatest relay swimmers in the world. He wasn't feeling well during the 400 relay. Hopefully, he'll step up big in the medley relay."
"I'm speechless," said Crocker, looking to redeem himself after his poor performance last Sunday. "It's a huge gift, but difficult to accept. It makes me want to just go out there and tear up the pool tomorrow."
Michael Phelps is a class act.
fresh content posted
