In the sporting world, few sounds were as intimidating to competitors as the thwack of Michael Phelps' arms smacking against his back. Phelps would perform the ritual at the start of every race of his storied career - including the ones that won him his 23 Olympic gold medals and 26 World Championship titles. He'd bend over the side of the pool, extend his massive, 6'7" wingspan and flap his arms about his chest and back, slapping himself into the zone.
Phelps says he never knew the back slaps cowed his rivals as much as they did.
"A lot of people told me after I retired that 'I hated hearing that sound'" Phelps said at a promotional event in New Delhi on Tuesday. The most successful Olympian in history says that that move wasn't to bully rivals but simply part of who he was. "It's part of my routine. I am not thinking about anyone else. I'm thinking only about myself. And I've been doing those back slaps since I was 11 years old," he said.
On popular demand, Phelps performs those slaps at the event. He's clad in a black sports vest, not shirtless as he was during competition, but the slaps ring loud and clear. The hyperflexion in his shoulder sockets isn't what it used to be and Phelps grins about it. "I've not done the slaps for a while. It hurts a bit," he jokes.
Phelps doesn't plan on doing them with any increased frequency anytime soon, save for fun Instagram posts like the one he did with his son Boomer last year. The 33-year-old say's he's happily retired and though he's come back from one such announcement in the past to memorably win five gold medals at the Rio Olympics, he insists he's done this time around.
"In the sport of swimming, when you miss one day, it takes two days to get back. For me when I spent six years straight not missing a single day, (a routine that coach Bob Bowman says Phelps followed in training for the 2004 Olympics, where he won six Olympic gold medals), I was getting so much more benefit out of that than other athletes who were training for six days. If you take Sunday off, you aren't back to where you were until Tuesday. I was training so much (back then). Now when I get in, I don't have that feel of the water that I had before. I've lost it. So, no comeback, you guys." Phelps says.
That doesn't mean that Phelps doesn't have great memories from his five Olympic Games. Although, statistically, the 2008 Games were his most successful, he has an affection for his final tournament in 2016 too.
"2008 was stat-wise the best Olympics because I won eight from eight. It's hard to say that wasn't the greatest Olympics. But coming back at Rio was one of the most enjoyable rides of my life. I felt that I was a 16 or 17-year-old kid again. I was just enjoying every step and enjoying the process. They were both very different but I enjoyed them each as much," he says.
By his own incredible standards, the American has had less than exemplary Games. A case in point would be the 2012 Games in London, where Phelps won 'only' four gold medals and two silvers. It's a testament to just his incredible ability that he says he wasn't even in good enough shape. "I have been out of shape for a competition. The 2012 Olympics was not my best form. It was challenging for me coming off 2008 (where he won every race he competed in). It was difficult not really having a goal or not really knowing where I was going," he admits.
Phelps overcame that phase and got back to winning. For him, there was simply no other option. "I hate losing. I hate losing more than anything. Hate it. Fear never played a role in it. I was never scared of losing," he says.
It was that mentality that shaped Phelps into who he became. For while his talent seems to be inborn, Phelps says he's had to work on it. "If I had to sum up my career it would have to be 'never give up'," he says.
Indeed, that motto is what Phelps' advise to anyone would be. "Never give up on something if you really want it. That's so important. If your dream is truly your dream, you will do everything you can to make it reality. What I did in my career is a perfect example of it. It wasn't all easy or all fun but it was something I wanted more than anything and there wasn't a single human who would stop me from doing it," he says.
All that is in the past. Phelps is settled into his new role now. He's serving as brand ambassador to multiple companies and also has a foundation in which he speaks about mental health, water safety and the importance of an active lifestyle.
"In the swimming world, I've already accomplished everything I wanted to. What I'm doing right now is very dear to me. All this is close to me and makes me happy to get up in the morning. It's a fun next journey for me," he says.