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Michael Phelps’ Mom Wishes Son Would Reconsider Retirement — And Ryan Lochte, Too

By Plutarc Sicat
Published on: 11:38 PST, Aug 13, 2016

Michael Phelps‘ mom wishes her son would reconsider retirement, Debbie Phelps said in an interview on NBC’s Today show on Friday. In fact, Michael’s mother sounded as if she weren’t yet aware that her son has already declared his retirement all over the news. Daily Mail reports as follows.

“Debbie Phelps, who was sporting a tan jacket that her son’s initials sewn in on her left side, said that she would love to see her son compete in the next Olympic Games in 2020: ‘That would be wonderful, I already have the race picked out,’ the proud mother said.”

Whether Debbie Phelps is aware or not of his son’s real plans, they are all water-under-the-bridge now. Her son does seem to have made up his mind already. As proof, Michael Phelps was quick to correct his Olympic teammate’s impression that he wasn’t hanging up his swimsuit just yet after the present Olympics, according to USA Today Sports.

Sportsnet and the Associated Press have said the following.

“This is goodbye for Michael Phelps. The most decorated athlete in Olympic history has one more race before retirement.”

The sources were referring to tonight, Saturday’s big swimming event at 10:04 p.m. at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Phelps will compete in the men’s 4×100 freestyle relay.

However, what you never underestimate is a mother’s instinct about her son. To illustrate, in the same interview with NBC, Mrs. Phelps also observes that “I’ve never seen him [Michael Phelps] so happy as he is now.”

Debbie Phelps likewise said that watching her son compete in the Olympic arena doesn’t get any better. Apparently, the anxiety and the tension is always there as if it were the first time.

“You never know how it can turn out. I mean I try and hold myself together, I really do. But it doesn’t always work though.”

Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps’ longtime teammate, confidant, and closest swimming rival, uncannily seems to have the same feelings. If there is anybody who knows Michael outside of his family — that would be Lochte. Perhaps Ryan could read his pal like a book?

Ryan gives the Los Angeles Times the “guarantee that Michael Phelps will swim at Tokyo Olympics [2020 Olympics].”

Here are Ryan Lochte’s own words.

“You know what, I can definitely say that because I guarantee he will be there. I think so. I really think so. So, Michael, I’ll see you in Tokyo.”

And of course, 2020 is still four years from now. Surely, a lot of unforeseen things can happen between now and that time. Besides, Michael Phelps retired after the 2012 London Olympics, only to resurface in the water recently. The Los Angeles Times gives Lochte proper credit by saying “He [Ryan Lochte] correctly forecast that Phelps’ 18-month retirement after the London Olympics wouldn’t last.”

Only time will tell if the Michael Phelps “weather man” will be accurate with his prediction for the second time. There’s a lot that the public doesn’t know that Ryan Lochte may be privy to as far as the greatest Olympic swimmer is concerned. After all, the two are known to work hard and play hard together. They are also usually Olympic village roommates.

Between two friends, there is also such a thing as one’s looking-glass-self. To illustrate, it’s not always possible for human beings to know everything about themselves. As it so often happens, every person has a blind side that only his or her best friend sees, and Psych Central validates this theory.

Additionally, the unique demands of fatherhood and the economics of his family situation could make Phelps change his mind. And so although the most celebrated athlete of our time says with absolute certainty that he is retiring, his official statement should be taken with a grain of salt. After all, no one can predict the future — not even Michael Phelps.

For example, how in the world would Phelps have known that a fan of his would grow up someday to beat him at his own game? The Inquisitr delves on this bizarre turnout at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

As Benjamin Franklin has said and This Day In Quotes emphasizes: “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

[Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images]

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