Michael Phelps Disappointed by Team USA's Weakest Olympic Showing Since 1956

Michael Phelps observed from the stands in Paris as the Team USA men's swimming team concluded the 2024 Olympic Games with only one individual goal medal.

This marked the poorest showing in individual gold medals for the American men's team since the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne. Regarding the U.S.'s deficiencies, Phelps expressed his thoughts.

"For me, as a whole, I was pretty disappointed to see the U.S. swimming results," Phelps told USA Today in an interview earlier this week. "... One of the things that I've always said the last few years is the rest of the world is catching up. I think a lot of the things that we've done as a country for so long, the other people are catching up. They're doing the same thing. Hopefully, we're able to make that transition leading into 2028."

Caeleb Dressel, after securing five gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games, was anticipated to lead Team USA, but fell short of expectations by not securing an individual medal in either the 100-meter butterfly or the 50-meter freestyle events.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals, including 23 golds across five Olympic Games, commended Bobby Finke for his gold medal victory in the 1,500-meter freestyle. Finke triumphed by nearly four seconds, establishing a new world record with a time of 14:30.67.

"Finke last night, swimming that was unbelievable. I have chills right now talking about it. That was one of the best swims in the entire Olympics. Being able to break that world record in the matter that he did it, just taking it out, challenging the other guys just to make a move, he was prepared. Hopefully the other athletes will be more prepared heading into '28."

The Team USA men's swimming team aims to gain momentum as they approach the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

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