Highs and lows have taught Phelps a lesson
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-15 09:12

His stunning achievements in Athens taught him that nothing was impossible but his drink-driving offence provided him with a more valuable lesson.

"It was a reality check for me," Phelps said in a recent interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. "I was an idiot for doing that...but I think it's going to make me a better person in the long run."

NEW GOAL

Phelps's brush with the law convinced him to stick to doing what he does best so he eased up on his social life and got back into the pool.

His only problem was finding a new goal. He had spent the whole time in the Greek capital swimming under the enormous shadow of Mark Spitz but those comparisons are now redundant.

Spitz won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics and while Phelps finished with six golds, his overall tally of eight set a new benchmark that could last forever.

Phelps is shooting for eight medals again at the world championships in Montreal this month but is also venturing into uncharted waters.

The 20-year-old American is virtually unbeatable in butterfly and medley but has strayed away from the safety of his favourite events in the search for a new challenge.

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