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<v Speaker 1>Michael Phelps has been absolutely dominating headlines in the past week,

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<v Speaker 1>and not for anything happening in the pool. The most

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<v Speaker 1>decorated Olympian in history unleashed a blistering five page statement

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<v Speaker 1>on Instagram calling out USA Swimming's leadership and demanding a

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<v Speaker 1>massive overhaul. CBS Sports and Swimming World Magazine both covered

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<v Speaker 1>his explosive criticism, reporting that Phelps accused the organization of

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<v Speaker 1>failing athletes, losing transparency and accountability, and not prioritizing athlete voices.

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<v Speaker 1>He cited USA Swimming's lack of a premanent CEO for

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<v Speaker 1>nearly a year, lamented the decline in medal counts at

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<v Speaker 1>Paris twenty twenty four compared to the glory days of Rio,

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<v Speaker 1>and said money and governance woes are choking the sport.

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<v Speaker 1>Perhaps most revealing, he admitted that, as a father of four,

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<v Speaker 1>he isn't sure he wants his sons in competitive swimming,

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<v Speaker 1>given how sad and angry the systemic dysfunction makes him.

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<v Speaker 1>Phelps offered himself as a resource for change, pushing for

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<v Speaker 1>an independent review improved athlete services, and with particular urgency,

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<v Speaker 1>a revitalization of grassroots programs to reverse the pandemic driven

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<v Speaker 1>membership exodus. His call provoked widespread buzz, with former teammate

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<v Speaker 1>Ryan Lochtey joining the chorus and sharing a meme of

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<v Speaker 1>a gravestone for USA Swimming. Phelps enhanced his visibility with

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<v Speaker 1>a major community partnership. Youth Sports Business Report confirms that

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<v Speaker 1>the Baltimore Ravens teamed up with his foundation for a

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<v Speaker 1>team wide swimming initiative. Phelps personally led lessons focusing on

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<v Speaker 1>water safety and confidence building, and even brought his childhood coach,

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<v Speaker 1>Miss Cathy. The team gifted one hundred thousand dollars to

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<v Speaker 1>the Michael Phelps Foundation, a notable move that ties athlete

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<v Speaker 1>development with mental health advocacy and life skills. Ravens coach

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<v Speaker 1>John Harbaugh incorporated Phelps into PEP talks, where the swimmer

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<v Speaker 1>drew parallels between preparation and sports and success on the field.

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<v Speaker 1>Chips and photos of the Ravens learning to swim with

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<v Speaker 1>Phelps circulated widely on social media and the NFL's own

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<v Speaker 1>Instagram feed, with Phelps' motivational approach getting praise for both

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<v Speaker 1>its warmth and intensity. His social media presence has remained strong,

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<v Speaker 1>with Instagram posts drawing tens of thousands of likes, including

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<v Speaker 1>candid shots with pro golfer Ricky Fowler that hint at

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<v Speaker 1>his continued cross sport friendships. No sensational business moves tied

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<v Speaker 1>directly to Phelps have broken through this week. Reports from

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<v Speaker 1>monitor BP still peg is net worth in the eighty

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<v Speaker 1>dollars one hundred million dollars range, but all eyes right

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<v Speaker 1>now are on his advocacy and his willingness to shake

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<v Speaker 1>up swimming's power structure. Their speculation that Phelps's outspokenness could

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<v Speaker 1>push USA Swimming into real reforms before the twenty twenty

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<v Speaker 1>eight Olympics in LA, especially as media and fellow athletes

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<v Speaker 1>rally behind his demands. However, there is no formal indication

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<v Speaker 1>of negotiations or direct meetings yet. So far, this is

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<v Speaker 1>all Phelps leading the conversation publicly and unapologetically. The coming

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<v Speaker 1>weeks will tell whether these headlines become true turning points

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<v Speaker 1>in his story or simply another chapter in his relentless

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<v Speaker 1>pursuit of change. And that is it for to day.

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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 please production