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<v Speaker 1>It has been a headline grabbing few days for Michael Phelps,

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<v Speaker 1>as the sport's greatest olympian once again found himself in

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<v Speaker 1>the middle of USA Swimming's most public reckoning. According to

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<v Speaker 1>coverage by Essentially Sports in aol, Phelps, along with fellow

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<v Speaker 1>legend Ryan Lochtey, made waves on Instagram on August first,

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<v Speaker 1>sharing and commenting on a striking image of a tombstone

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<v Speaker 1>inscribed in loving memory of United States Swimming nineteen eighty

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<v Speaker 1>dashed twoenty twenty five. The meme, reportedly created with AI,

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<v Speaker 1>was posted at the height of Team USA's struggles at

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<v Speaker 1>the twenty twenty five World Aquatics Championships, where illness derailed

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<v Speaker 1>much of the roster and left the American team trailing expectations.

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<v Speaker 1>Phelps didn't hold back, riding in his Instagram caption, is

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<v Speaker 1>this the wake up call USA Swimming needed? Let's find out.

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<v Speaker 1>Lochtee's post went viral, and the public frustration made major

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<v Speaker 1>sports headlines. Rowdy Gaines, another swimming icon and NBC commentator,

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<v Speaker 1>jumped in with public support for phel Helps, telling his

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<v Speaker 1>followers to listen up when a twenty eight time medalist speaks.

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<v Speaker 1>According to Swimming World magazine USA Swimming issued an official

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<v Speaker 1>statement expressing disappointment at the legends timing and tone, but

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<v Speaker 1>claimed they had reached out to Phelps and other alums

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<v Speaker 1>inviting them into the fold. Acclaim Phelps directly refuted online,

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<v Speaker 1>accusing the Federation of pushing him aside for years and

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<v Speaker 1>publicly hoping for change. While these developments dominated Olympic and

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<v Speaker 1>sports media, Phelps also took time for more reflective moments.

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<v Speaker 1>On August ninth, Sports Kedah covered an emotional social media

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<v Speaker 1>confession where Phelps shared an inspiring video montage and opened

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<v Speaker 1>up about the relentless training and sacrifices behind his success,

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<v Speaker 1>writing it starts with a dream followed by goals. No

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<v Speaker 1>one sees what happens next, the blood, sweat and tears

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<v Speaker 1>to accomplish your dream. Phelps also gave an interview on

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<v Speaker 1>the Woop podcast, reiterating his winner's mentality and admitting he

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<v Speaker 1>dissected every defeat to avoid ever missing the podium again.

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<v Speaker 1>In lighter news, Phelps is set to appear at the

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<v Speaker 1>Global Poker Goat after party Invasionall, hosting a Knockout Michael

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<v Speaker 1>Phelps poker event on August tenth, as promoted through his

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<v Speaker 1>Instagram and in a charming local story, Yahoo Sports and

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<v Speaker 1>Marlin Humphrey highlighted Phelps replying to Baltimore Ravens player's social

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<v Speaker 1>media call out for swim lessons, enthusiastically agreeing to help

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<v Speaker 1>them in their new recovery pool, blending his local roots

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<v Speaker 1>with his ongoing mission for swim education. Speculation exists about

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<v Speaker 1>whether Phelps's public interventions might pressure leadership changes in USA

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<v Speaker 1>swimming or open broader roles for former athletes, but so

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<v Speaker 1>far there is no confirmation of official business or membership shifts.

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<v Speaker 1>The overall tone across headlines in social media right now

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<v Speaker 1>is that Phelps is the lightning rod for change in

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<v Speaker 1>his sport as well as a still beloved ambassador for

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<v Speaker 1>physical and mental wellness. And that is it for today.

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<v Speaker 1>Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss

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<v Speaker 1>an update on Michael Phelps. Thanks for listening. This has

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<v Speaker 1>been a quiet police production