Laureus

- 2013 RIO DE JANEIRO -
LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION
- 26 -
SWIMMING SESSION AT ROCINHA SPORTS CENTRE
Michael lead a swimming clinic at Rocinha featuring
elements from the Michael Phelps Foundation’s ‘im’
programme. ‘im’ stands for individual medley, one of
Michael Phelps’ most celebrated events, and it also reflects
‘I am’ which is a focus of the approach of the programme
which tries to increase the self-confidence of the young
people who attend. He talked to some of the youngsters
about the basic principles of his Olympic success – Dream,
Plan, Reach.
At the Laureus Awards Ceremony Michael was presented
with a new Award – the Laureus Academy Exceptional
Achievement Award. He said: “This is all a dream come true
for me. I woke up with a dream as a kid to be the best that
I could be and to be able to win this Award is amazing. To
have the members of the Academy vote for this and give me
this, I’m really at a loss for words.”
“It has been an amazing career and it is crazy to think that
it is over. But I’ve done everything that I wanted to do in the
sport. I wanted to change swimming and take it to another
level, and I have. But I will continue to be a part of the sport
and continue to help grow the sport of swimming. That is a
goal of mine and a passion of mine.”