Michael Phelps: USA Swimming 'broken' after Olympic medal slump

The Australian

7 hours ago

American Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps has launched a blistering attack on USA Swimming that could – and should – shake up the sport globally.
Unrivalled as the greatest Olympian of all time, the 23-time gold medallist released a lengthy statement on his social media account criticising the leadership of USA Swimming after the American team's declining performances on the global stage.
Although the US still topped the medals table at last year's Paris Olympics and the recent world championships in Singapore, Phelps said the team's sinking returns over the past decade were proof of how disorganised the sport had become in America.
'There have always been cracks in the system but in the last nine years, I've seen those cracks grow,' Phelps posted.
'In 2016, I had the honor to be a part of a U.S. swim team in Rio that was arguably the most successful in the sport's history and we won 57% of the medals we had the opportunity to win. Fast forward eight years to Paris, where Team USA won only 44% of the medals they had the opportunity to win in the pool, the lowest percentage the sport had seen since the 1988 Olympics.'
Legendary US swimmer Michael Phelps has launched an astonishing attack on USA Swimming. Picture: AFP
Australia and China have been among the biggest beneficiaries of the US team's below-par performances in the pool at the last two Olympics, but not the only ones. Phelps said the issues run deeper than just the number of medals won and lost.
'I've asked myself what's changed in our sport and the answer is clear,' he said.
'This isn't on the athletes as they continue to do the best they can with what they've been given. This is on the leadership of USA Swimming. Poor leadership trickles down and can impact an organization at every level.'
A childhood prodigy who competed at five Olympics after debuting as a 15-year-old at Sydney in 2000, Phelps' latest posting is not some spur of the moment takedown of his sport. The GOAT has long been using his voice to campaign on behalf of swimmers to be treated better.
Despite its wholesome image, swimming is a brutal sport with a long list of problems.
Despite its wholesome image, swimming is a brutal sport with a long list of problems. Picture: Getty
To make it to the top, competitors are required to undergo exhausting training and eat sparingly to keep their weight down, often for little financial reward, at least compared to other sports.
The mental and physical toll on elite competitors is enormous and can take its toll. It's not uncommon to see swimmers break down in tears after their races, regardless of whether they win or lose.
Phelps has been open about his own personal battles with depression and thoughts of self harm and never been unafraid to call on the sport's administrators to do more for the welfare of competitors.
But it's not just an American problem. Many other swimming powers, including Australia, have acknowledged failings in the system, including the horrific abuse of female participants and ongoing mental health issues.
Insiders have long expressed concerns about swimming's code of silence because those that speak out often get shot down.
Phelps hasn't been spared, even though he is not alone in calling for changes. His highly decorated former teammate Ryan Lochte and 1984 Olympic champion Rowdy Gaines also alluded to the team's ongoing struggles in Singapore but USA Swimming took offence to the criticism.
'We are saddened and disappointed at the timing of the comments. The USA Swimming team battled severe illness in Singapore, and these comments added public scrutiny to an already challenging situation for our athletes and coaches,' USA Swimming said.
While it's true some members of the US team that competed in Singapore had health issues, Phelps has since made it clear he wasn't criticising the swimmers, or the team's results at the recent championships.
Rather, he explained he was concerned about the wider issues the sport faces, including the pressure put on swimmers to keep quiet and not rock the boat.
'I spent most of my life inside of a system that is supposed to support athletes. I gave it my everything, but I often felt that my voice went unheard,' he said.
'I was told to be grateful for the chance to compete and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace.'
Phelps' comments echo similar concerns that other foreign swimmers have made over the years but this time, more people are listening. With Phelps among the favourites to light the cauldron at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, this is an issue that's only going to get more attention in the years ahead.
READ THE STATEMENT IN FULL
While I've faced some pushback, from the post I shared last week, most of the feedback I've heard echoes my feelings about the challenges facing USA Swimming today. And although some of you may not agree with my perception, I'm glad that this discourse is forcing a bigger conversation.
Now is the time to have it.
First, I must be clear that I have the utmost respect for the U.S. swimmers that competed at the World Championships. My criticism is in no way directed at them – I know how hard they work and how honored they are to represent the U.S. National Team. My criticism is about the system, its leadership, and how it's failing.
There have always been cracks in the system but in the last nine years, I've seen those cracks grow. In 2016, I had the honor to be a part of a U.S. swim team in Rio that was arguably the most successful in the sport's history and we won 57% of the medals we had the opportunity to win. Fast forward eight years to Paris, where Team USA won only 44% of the medals they had the opportunity to win in the pool, the lowest percentage the sport had seen since the 1988 Olympics.
I've asked myself what's changed in our sport and the answer is clear … this isn't on the athletes as they continue to do the best they can with what they've been given. This is on the leadership of USA Swimming. Poor leadership trickles down and can impact an organization at every level.
I spent most of my life inside of a system that is supposed to support athletes. I gave it my everything, but I often felt that my voice went unheard. I was told to be grateful for the chance to compete and that it was more important to stay quiet and to keep the peace.
I spoke up earlier this year when I sent a letter to USA Swimming. It was also shared with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. It addressed many of my frustrations with the current state of the sport and was signed and supported by former Olympic medallists, world record holders, members of the coaching community, and current and previous staff members of USA Swimming.
That letter seemed to fall on deaf ears. No one really wants to talk about how broken USA Swimming has become.
But, if we don't talk about it, it won't get fixed.
Money is a factor. But poor operational controls and weak leadership are a cornerstone of the sport's problems.
I've watched too many teammates struggle to compete in a sport they love without the support they need. 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.
Swimming to me was always about more than just medals – it's supposed to be an environment that builds champions in and out of the pool.
As a Dad to four young boys, it pains me to say that I'm not sure I'd want my sons to be a part of this sport at a competitive level. Yes, swimming changed my life, but it also causes a lot of heartache, and its current state makes me both sad and angry.
I want to see this sport flourish and I want to be a part of the solution. I've always said that I wanted to change the sport of swimming in the U.S. and that sentiment still holds true.
I still care and I'm not ready to give up.
I don't have all the answers, but I know this: we need accountability. We need transparency. We need athlete voices at the center, not in the margins.
We need systemic change.
I would like to encourage those of you who are in our sport and all of those who care about our sport's future to share your thoughts too. What do you think about the state of swimming in our country today? Has the sport continued to evolve and, if not, what can be done to move this sport into the future? I'd love to see open and honest feedback from others.
As an initial step forward, I would propose the following next steps to the USA Swimming Board of Directions and USA Swimming staff:
Commission a 360* independent review of USA Swimming's Board of Directors and its organization as a whole. Provide complete transparency in this process.
Streamline athlete services and develop a proactive, athlete-first way to support athletes competing in the sport. While USA Swimming and the USOPC provide some athlete resources, there needs to be a better way to work directly with athletes to implement what's available to them.
Focus on strengthening the grassroots level of the sport, reversing its pandemic membership decline while developing new ways to foster additional growth.
I offer up my service to be a resource in these proposed initial steps and I am hopeful that the USA Swimming community will accept my offer.
My door is open and there is work to be done.
Sincerely,
Michael Phelps