Looking at him today, Bowman said Phelps has managed to move beyond great and become a once-in-a-lifetime athlete thanks to his mental strength.
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"A number of things make him the swimmer he is, but I think it is largely psychological. He can relax and focus on what he is doing when under pressure and actually, this sort of environment makes him perform better," Bowman said.
"That is highly unusual."
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Did you know? When he was 10, Phelps attended the 1996 Olympic Trials to support sister Whitney. She finished sixth in the 200m butterfly final and failed to make the team. The family cried in the stands. Whitney's career was cut short by four herniated discs.
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