Weekly Rummors

WHAT SEEMS
IMPOSSIBLE…
23 GOLD
MEDALS
By Solansh Estrella
“You can't put a limit on anything.
The more you dream, the farther you
get.”
Is Marfan syndrome an impediment
or an advantage? According to what
we know, any kind of genetic
disorder may mean an obstacle, but
this is not true. A clear example of
what seems impossible is Michael
Phelps, the greatest Olympian ever.
Even given the fact that Phelps
practices a sport in which extremely
capable athlete can bag golds across
different distances and strokes, his
feats still blow away those of any
other sportsperson.
Phelps was born in Baltimore on
June 30, 1985. This American
swimmer has set the record for
winning the most medals, 28, of any
Olympic athlete in history. Phelps
competed in his first Olympics at the
age of 15, as part of the U.S. men's
swim team. He was the first
American male swimmer to earn a
spot on five Olympic teams and also
made history as the oldest individual
gold medalist in Olympic swimming
history at the age of 28.
Everything about Phelps was
special, including his physique. The
athlete is 6’4 feet but had an
astounding wingspan of 6’7 feet.
Many have done studies and
written theories on Phelps’
extraordinary body and how it
helped him become the best
swimmer. While his physique is
considered a medical marvel, it
also landed the athlete in trouble.
Michael Phelps may have been
suffering from Marfan syndrome,
the genetic disease that affects the
body's connective tissues. Some
even began worrying for Phelps as
the connective tissue disorder
could become lethal as it affects
the heart. However, it was soon
clear that Phelps did have some
early symptoms of Marfan
syndrome and this did not limit his
dream to get far.
To conclude, even though Phelps’
flexibility and long hands and feet,
early symptoms of Marfan
syndrome which helped him to
outstand as a swimmer, this
without an adequate control, could
have led him into serious heart
problems and even worse, to
death.
Imgur.com, 2023, i.imgur.com/WtIk6t0.jpg.
Accessed 18 Jan. 2023.
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