Michael Phelps: Novak Djokovic has Olympic icon starstruck, thoughts on doping problems, Aussies
MICHAEL Phelps has 18 Olympic golds but a fellow megastar has left him starstruck in Rio. Meanwhile, the swim legend made a bombshell doping admission.
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HE’S one of the most famous sportspeople in history and the prized selfie target among fellow athletes at Rio 2016, but Michael Phelps isn’t immune to getting starstruck himself at the Olympics.
Phelps, who will carry the flag for the US at his fifth and final Games next week, fronted the world’s media after touching down in Rio on Wednesday.
The legendary American swimmer discussed the Russian doping scandal, Australia’s rising sprint stars and family life in a wide-ranging press conference attended by more than 500 journalists and photographers.
He also revealed his increasing openness to mingling with other athletes - and the one fellow superstar he as most excited to brush shoulders with in the Games Village.
“Before, I would always have my headphones on and wouldn’t talk to anybody. That’s kind of literally how I always was but I’m a lot more open and relaxed now,” Phelps said.
“I kind of had the same feeling this morning ... I passed (Novak) Djokovic walking down the street in the middle of the village and I was like, ‘I want a picture’.
Phelps x Djokovic, this team might be unbeatable at Water Tennis 💦🎾 (Photo @scottleightman) pic.twitter.com/6UelzINX6u
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) August 3, 2016
“It’s kind of cool, just being able to be in the village and see athletes from all over the world of all levels.
“Djokovic for me, there’s a lot of athletes I’m in awe of and am pretty amazed by and he’s got to be one of them.”
The pair shot the breeze for a few minutes, talking schedules and Games life.
“He’s super nice, super down to earth and easy to talk to. I’ve watched so many of matches on to he’s a very talented athlete,” Phelps said.
RUSSIAN DOPING
Phelps started diplomatically but ultimately couldn’t hide his anger at the doping scandal that had cast a dark shadow over the Games.
“We all want clean sports, that’s all we want ... We want everyone to be on the same playing field, for me I’m the only one that can control that and that’s all I’m focused on,” he said.
“But I can also honestly say I don’t know in my career if I’ve ever competed in a clean sport and that upsetting. Like I said, all I can control is me and that’s the main priority for me.”
US head coach Bob Bowman took a harder stance, saying “the system is broken and it has to be fixed” and Phelps later backed him up.
“This has been happening for how many Olympics?” Phelps said.
“It seems every time it comes up and it’s sad. It’s sad we can’t control it and that somebody who is in charge cannot control this.”
ULTIMATE COMPLIMENT FOR AUSSIES
Phelps is hoping to line up for the US men’s sprint relay team on day two of the swimming program on Sunday.
That would pit him against Aussie sprint stars including Cameron McEvoy, James Magnussen and Kyle Chalmers.
Phelps believes the event is wide open but the recent resurgence in Australian swimming is not lost on him based on this stunning compliment.
“The Australians have made a significant charge I think over the last couple of years in the men’s and women’s,” Phelps said.
“There a lot of younger guys that have really stepped up that are bringing more excitement to the sport it kind of brings me back to memories of Thorpe and Hackett.
“Back then it was just the two of us, USA and Australia, but now I think there’s not only us but a handful other nations that are going to be there challenging and very hard to beat. I’m looking forward to either watching or being in that race.”
FAMILY LIFE
This will be Phelps’ first games as a father with his baby boy Boomer and wife Nicole in Rio with him.
“My emotions are going to be ten times what they’ve ever been,” Phelps said of the effect being a family man would have on the experience.
“I’ve been getting pictures from Nicole every day and from one day to the next, he’s growing so much .
“To have him here to watch the potential last races of my career, it’s something that I look forward to being able to share with him in the future. He’s going to have some cool outfits on in the stands.”
ON CARRYING THE FLAG
Phelps will not only be carrying the flag, but marching in an opening ceremony for the first time.
In previous Games he’s opted to rest up ahead of the gruelling 400m individual medley on day one but with that event off his program and the chance to be flag bearer, Phelps said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“For me to be able to have the opportunity to carry the flag for the US is a dream come true. It’s something I honestly thought I’d never have the chance to do,” he said.
“When I was told, I was a little bit emotional and probably shed a few tears, just of joy. Just the honour and the opportunity to do that , it’s incredible and one thing that’s super special.
“This has to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.”
Originally published as Michael Phelps: Novak Djokovic has Olympic icon starstruck, thoughts on doping problems, Aussies
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