Michael Phelps

Phelps is an American competitive swimmer and the most decorated Olympian of all time, with a total of 28 medals. 

Phelps also holds the all-time records for Olympic gold medals, Olympic gold medals in individual events, and Olympic medals in individual events. In winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, Phelps broke fellow American swimmer Mark Spitz's record of 7 first-place finishes at any single Olympic Games. 

Five of those victories were in individual events, tying the single Games record. In the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Phelps won four golds and two silver medals, making him the most successful athlete of the Games for the third Olympics in a row. 

Phelps is the long course world record holder in the 100-meter butterfly, 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley as well as the former long course world record holder in the 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley. After the 2008 Summer Olympics, Phelps started the Michael Phelps Foundation, which focuses on growing the sport of swimming and promoting healthier lifestyles. 

Phelps retired following the 2012 Olympics, but in April 2014 he made a comeback. He qualified for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, his fifth Olympics, winning five golds and one silver. 

Phelps was chosen to be a Captain on the 2016 US Olympic team, and was also voted by his team to be the flag bearer of the United States at the 2016 Summer Olympics Parade of Nations.