World record holding swimmer Michael Phelps remarkable 16 year run on the world stage has culminated in yet another trip to the Games, as the 18 time gold medalist earned the opportunity to add to his to medal collection. Phelps, who will turn 31 on the last day of June, has outlasted regimes, lexicon, and technological norms, breezed through the 200-meter butterfly finals at the USA Olympic trials in Omaha Wednesday and in doing so became the first male swimmer to earn trips to five separate Games. (Phelps, unlike another historic former male US multiple gold medal winner, has handled success and fame with few indiscretions.)
While content on the Zika virus and the precarious state of Brazilian law enforcement and security issues have dominated the trends, Phelps and fellow swimmers will proudly display the American Flag in Rio beginning August 5. The full contingent of the US Swimming team is expected to make the trek to Brazil, including the complete slate of female qualifiers. This comes in the wake of a substantial movement of famous athletes dropping out of the Games due to concerns over Zika. Earlier this week PGA golfers Rory Mcilroy and Jason Day withdrew their names from competition in Rio.
VIDEO: Phelps Blazes to a World Record at the London Games in 2012