Michael PHELPS

The Olympic prodigy was born in Baltimore on June 30, 1985, and developed a keen interest in the sport after joining the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. His mother Deborah raised him and his sisters Hilary and Whitney after their parents divorced.

Michael Phelps: A record 23 gold medals

At just 15 years old, he joined the USA team for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, becoming the youngest American male Olympic swimmer since 1932. He came close to making the podium in his sole race, the 200m butterfly, finishing fifth. He went on to dominate the next four Olympic Games, becoming the most decorated athlete at each one. He won six gold medals and two bronzes at Athens 2004, falling just short of Spitz's record of seven golds at Munich 1972.

Beijing 2008 would see the greatest-ever medal haul by a single athlete at an Olympic Games. The then-23-year-old prodigy won eight golds – every event he entered – and broke world records in seven of them. That remains a record that looks unlikely to be surpassed any time soon.

London 2012 was also astonishing as he won four golds and two silvers, which was followed by a surprise retirement. But Phelps couldn't stay away from the pool and he made a highly successful comeback at Rio 2016, aged 31, to bag five gold medals and one silver.

He is now retired and is married to Nicole, with whom he has four sons: Boomer, Becker, Maverick and Nico. Phelps works for his own charitable foundation, which emphasises children's mental health.