Adding another honor to his remarkable career, Phelps was chosen to carry the US flag in Friday night’s opening ceremony at Maracana Stadium.
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“I’m honored to be chosen, proud to represent the US, and humbled by the significance of carrying the flag and all it stands for”, Phelps said. I probably shed a little bit of tears, just in joy, just the honor and the opportunity to do that is incredible. “I want to do it”.
Phelps will be only the second swimmer to lead the USA delegation in the opening ceremony.
“This time around”, Phelps said, “it’s about so much more than medals”.
Phelps revealed his frustration at a lack of solution to doping problems, and he is unsure if he has ever competed in a clean event.
Any athlete will tell you that making it all the way to the Olympics takes passion, perseverance and a lot of support.
Phelps will compete in 100m and 200m fly and 200m medley at the Rio Games.
The Opening Ceremonies will air Friday on NBC, starting at 7 p.m. ET.
While more than half his life has been spent as an Olympian, the 31-year-old Phelps said he can still remember watching coverage of the opening ceremony as a child.
With that, the media in the packed interview room erupted in gasps and laughter, cutting off Phelps in mid-sentence as he talked about the chance to share the Olympics with his infant son, Boomer.
“But I would have to say from a personal standpoint, it’s very concerning to me that our governing bodies have dropped the ball in many ways on this”.
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“I think that’s why he came back”, Lochte said.
