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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Michael Phelps’ greatest legacy is all these kids on social media swimming in ditches

Michael Phelps’ goal was to change the sport of swimming, and in Rio he ended the greatest Olympic career of all time confident that he could retire with no regrets.

His impact on swimming is obvious in the Olympic swimmers he’s inspired.

But Phelps’ reach extends beyond the Olympics to a much more significant societal force: kids with cell phone cameras.

1. “The Bayou Super Meet”

2. The “Michael Phelps in Lane 5”

"Michael Phelps in Lane 5." (via @colemanowen_, @elijahowen4 h/t @bestcelebrations)

A video posted by Sports Videos (@houseofhighlights) on

3. The Dolphin

OK yes, this Vine is from 2013, but it’s not like Phelps just started inspiring children this August.

Thank you, Michael Phelps, for inspiring a generation to create hilarious videos for Internet consumption.

(h/t @HouseofHighlights/Instagram)

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