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In the News

Michael Phelps has mastered the psychology of speed

Fourteen-time Olympic gold medalist shows an unmatched mental toughness in the pool.

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Swimmer Michael Phelps has won 14 Olympic gold medals and is the face of his sport. The mental toughness he has shown in the pool is as important to his success as his prodigious talent.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

Phelps's longtime coach Bob Bowman (in blue shirt) has always recognized the swimmer's deep drive to win. Bowman believes Phelps's natural competitiveness was enhanced as he developed confidence.

Phelps's longtime coach Bob Bowman (in blue shirt) has always recognized the swimmer's deep drive to win. Bowman believes Phelps's natural competitiveness was enhanced as he developed confidence.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

Phelps is unquestionably one of the most physically gifted athletes in history, but his success in extreme pressure situations suggests his mental strength is his most vital attribute. Bowman called Phelps the strongest-willed, most unflappable competitor he's observed in any walk of life.

Phelps is unquestionably one of the most physically gifted athletes in history, but his success in extreme pressure situations suggests his mental strength is his most vital attribute. Bowman called Phelps the strongest-willed, most unflappable competitor he's observed in any walk of life.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

Phelps's mental toughness is partly inherent in his personality and partly shaped through years of experience. The nature of Olympic races puts swimmers with mental weakness at a severe disadvantage.

Phelps's mental toughness is partly inherent in his personality and partly shaped through years of experience. The nature of Olympic races puts swimmers with mental weakness at a severe disadvantage.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

Bowman began training Phelps when the swimmer was 11, and initially Phelps hated Bowman's intense style. Bowman forced Phelps to participate in multiple events at weekend meets to develop his strokes and to make Phelps accustomed to racing while fatigued. Bowman also demanded full adherence to his methods, taking the guesswork out of the sport for Phelps, which helped clear his mind.

Bowman began training Phelps when the swimmer was 11, and initially Phelps hated Bowman's intense style. Bowman forced Phelps to participate in multiple events at weekend meets to develop his strokes and to make Phelps accustomed to racing while fatigued. Bowman also demanded full adherence to his methods, taking the guesswork out of the sport for Phelps, which helped clear his mind.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

According to U.S. Olympic Committee sport psychologist Sean McCann, mental strength can be broken down into two major components. Phelps is the rare athlete who in pressure situations possesses both the ability to turn adrenalin into positive energy and the resilience to overcome unforseen obstacles.

According to U.S. Olympic Committee sport psychologist Sean McCann, mental strength can be broken down into two major components. Phelps is the rare athlete who in pressure situations possesses both the ability to turn adrenalin into positive energy and the resilience to overcome unforseen obstacles.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

McCann says mental tools to deal with pressure and nerves can be developed, but mental strength is a trait that some athletes, like Phelps, are born with. Many athletes have struggled their whole careers to attain an adequate level of mental toughness.

McCann says mental tools to deal with pressure and nerves can be developed, but mental strength is a trait that some athletes, like Phelps, are born with. Many athletes have struggled their whole careers to attain an adequate level of mental toughness.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

Phelps has never consulted with a sports psychologist. When Bowman set up Phelps with a therapist during his first year at the University of Michigan, the counselor was not allowed to discuss swimming.

Phelps has never consulted with a sports psychologist. When Bowman set up Phelps with a therapist during his first year at the University of Michigan, the counselor was not allowed to discuss swimming.

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

American Ryan Lochte will be Phelps's biggest challenger at the London Olympics this summer. Lochte has performed better than Phelps since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and is perhaps the favorite to win more medals in London. Phelps, 27, has admittedly struggled in recent years to train as hard as he used to.

American Ryan Lochte will be Phelps's biggest challenger at the London Olympics this summer. Lochte has performed better than Phelps since the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and is perhaps the favorite to win more medals in London. Phelps, 27, has admittedly struggled in recent years to train as hard as he used to.

Jonathan Newton / THE WASHINGTON POST

Phelps was the centerpiece of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, when he won eight gold medals despite immense pressure to succeed. Phelps was able to maintain a calm state of mind throughout the Games, and was virtually unaffected by the magnitude of his races.

Phelps was the centerpiece of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, when he won eight gold medals despite immense pressure to succeed. Phelps was able to maintain a calm state of mind throughout the Games, and was virtually unaffected by the magnitude of his races.

Jonathan Newton / THE WASHINGTON POST

In the lead-up to the London Olympics, Phelps has not trained as hard as he did as a teenager. Still, he says, 'Champions sort of always know how to get back to where they once were.'

In the lead-up to the London Olympics, Phelps has not trained as hard as he did as a teenager. Still, he says, "Champions sort of always know how to get back to where they once were."

Jonathan Newton / WASHINGTON POST

Phelps said it was obvious during the Beijing Olympics that Bowman, his mother and his sisters were nervous. But even with the whole world watching, Phelps managed to maintain a level of inner peace.

Phelps said it was obvious during the Beijing Olympics that Bowman, his mother and his sisters were nervous. But even with the whole world watching, Phelps managed to maintain a level of inner peace.

Jonathan Newton / THE WASHINGTON POST

Phelps, shown celebrating with teammate Garrett Weber-Gale, set an American record in the 4x100 freestyle relay at Beijing, a race the Americans won in dramatic come-from-behind fashion. World records came in all eight races in which Phelps competed.

Phelps, shown celebrating with teammate Garrett Weber-Gale, set an American record in the 4x100 freestyle relay at Beijing, a race the Americans won in dramatic come-from-behind fashion. World records came in all eight races in which Phelps competed.

Jonathan Newton / THE WASHINGTON POST

For most Olympic athletes, any chance at meaningful success, financial rewards and public recognition relies on an ability to perform under the massive pressure of the Olympic stage. Phelps, shown here on the cover of Sports Illustrated, is one of the most decorated Olympians of all time.

For most Olympic athletes, any chance at meaningful success, financial rewards and public recognition relies on an ability to perform under the massive pressure of the Olympic stage. Phelps, shown here on the cover of Sports Illustrated, is one of the most decorated Olympians of all time.

Simon Bruty / AP

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