In a strong critique of USA Swimming, Michael Phelps, regarded as the greatest Olympian of all time, has called out the organisation for its “weak leadership” and is advocating for a comprehensive review of its practices. Despite his remarkable legacy, including 23 Olympic gold medals, Phelps expressed that he would not encourage his four sons to pursue professional swimming, highlighting his concerns over the sport’s current state.
The 40-year-old swimming legend took to Instagram, sharing a detailed five-slide post voicing his frustrations about the governing body that once supported his career. His comments come shortly after Team USA achieved notable success at the world championships in Singapore, where they secured nine gold medals and finished atop the medal tally.
Phelps made it clear that his discontent is not aimed at the athletes competing for Team USA, noting their dedication and hard work. Instead, he pinpointed systemic issues within the leadership of USA Swimming. He remarked that over the past nine years, he has observed significant deterioration in the organisational structure, with performance declining from a 57 per cent medal acquisition at the Rio Olympics in 2016 to only 44 per cent in Paris 2024— the lowest since 1988.
Reflecting on the challenges the sport faces, Phelps asserted that the athletes are doing their best under current conditions. His experience within the system has left him frustrated; he noted that many athletes feel their voices are silenced and must “stay quiet to keep the peace.” Earlier this year, he had sent a letter to USA Swimming, co-signed by other Olympic medallists and coaches, but reported that it received little to no response, highlighting a concerning lack of engagement with the issues at hand.
He emphasised that while financial aspects play a role in the sport’s troubles, the core issues stem from ineffective leadership and operational controls. Phelps proclaimed, “I’m done pretending this system works just because it produces medals,” stating that the current situation pains him, particularly as a father.
In his concluding remarks, Phelps called for an outside review of USA Swimming and its leadership, alongside increased support for swimmers at all levels. He has offered to assist in reforming the organisation, yet as of now, USA Swimming has not made any public comments regarding his statements.