Ten years after concluding his illustrious career at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Michael Phelps appeared at the Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, California, accompanied by two of his four sons.
The event showcased swimming teams from the U.S., Australia, Canada, and Japan. Phelps attended with Beckett, who is 8, and Maverick, who is 6. His wife, Nicole, joined them as they watched the competitions. Their eldest son, Boomer, age 10, stayed home to entertain Nico, the youngest at 2.
Beckett showed a notable interest in the swimming events. He received occasional tips from Phelps’s former coach, Bob Bowman, who remains close to the family. Phelps remarked, “Grandpa Bob is giving him some pointers here and there.” He noted Beckett’s potential as more of a sprinter, which differs from his own style.
The family is currently looking for coaches in Phoenix, where they reside, to nurture Beckett’s budding interest in swimming. Phelps emphasized, “If he wants to be a swimmer, I will support it. I will never push him into it. I want him to become his own person.”
Reflecting on his own career, Phelps began swimming at age 7 in Baltimore, overcoming an initial fear of putting his face in the water. His involvement was partly inspired by his older sisters and fueled by a need to channel his high energy levels.
Phelps sees similarities between himself and Beckett, saying, “He has a hard time turning the switch off, so when he gets angry, he gets angry.” Phelps relates to this trait and suggests that focusing on the sport might be beneficial.
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