Where is Phelps' Dad?

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

That seems to be the question on everybody's mind these days.

Check out Michael and his number one fan, his mom.

UPDATE: The New York Post reported that Phelps' dad admitted he has not had a single conversation with his Olympian son since Michael left for Beijing, nor has he congratulated him on his eight gold medals: "He's so busy, I'm not sure even his agent can get a hold of him," he said. He did also say he's been watching his son every single night on TV.

He's the IT boy of the Beijing Olympics who has made history. But when we see his mom and sisters cheering (and crying) in the stands, we always wonder: Where is Michael Phelps' dad?

In interviews, Michael has been outspoken about the sacrifices his mom made raising him, like managing his busy training schedule as a single mom. But what about Dad? Phelps' parents, Fred and Debbie, were high school sweethearts. Both parents were very involved in their children's swimming. "When we started, my dad would be up at 4 a.m. on the mornings I had 5:30 practice," said Michael's sister Hilary. Eventually, the family relocated to be closer to the aquatic center.

But over time, that special bond between the former high school sweethearts began to fade. "It was like a storybook [marriage], but sometimes chapters go in different directions," Debbie told the Baltimore Sun. "We were close, but we grew apart." Fred and Debbie separated when Michael was just 8 years old. After they divorced, it was Michael's mom who drove him to practice twice a day, spending Saturdays going from his games to practices and back. The gulf between father and son grew wider. Although neither will say publicly exactly what caused their rift, Fred Phelps (who is a Maryland State Police Officer) and Michael did not speak for several years after Michael's high school graduation party. Fred didn't even attend the 2000 Olympics. "Two days after he graduated," Fred told the Baltimore Sun, "he said he didn't want me to go to Barcelona because I hadn't been around. This is his world, and I'm just watching him travel through it. People ask me how he's doing, where he's swimming next, and it's hard to say that I don't know."

When asked about the rift, Michael has said: "There are reasons, and I really don't want to get into that. He didn't call me after I set my first world record in 2001. He didn't call me after Barcelona either." Michael's dad remarried before the 2000 Olympics and was most recently living in Linthicum, Md.

"We'll throw e-mails back and forth every now and then," Michael said of his dad in early 2004. Shortly thereafter, the Baltimore Sun reported that Michael did reconcile with his father, but they've since drifted apart again. Fred Phelps was in Greece, but obviously was not in Beijing.

When contacted by the Baltimore Sun for an interview a few weeks back, Fred Phelps declined, saying he didn't want to take away from his son's accomplishments by going into the family story. "This is just about Michael," he said. "This is his glory, his time to shine, and I want him to get everything he wants." But Fred said he is watching the Olympics back in Maryland: "I'm just on pins and needles every time Michael hits the water."

So are we, Fred. So are we.

Olympic Stars: Then and Now

25 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

Most of the time, whether married or divorced, it is the mother that gets up with the kids when they are sick, makes sure the homework is done, gets the kids to practice, keeps up with schedules, and puts the family’s needs above her own. Michael’s dad is the adult here…if there were problems he should have tried his best to work them out…Even if the parents divorced, the dad could have helped taking Michael to practice or picking him up from practice. If he has been in the background all this time, he shouldn’t step out now that his son is in the spotlight. If he had been there all along, he should have been at the Olympics every time his son was, on the sidelines, cheering him on. Debbie has made sacrifices that no one else will ever know…perhaps even not dating in order to focus entirely on her children. If Debbie is the one that woke up early and took him to his many practices, and made sure he got to the meets, and encouraged him every step of the way, then she should be given the credit she deserves. If the dad had been the one to make sure he got to the practices and meets, then he also should be in the wings cheering Michael on. You can’t wait 15 years and decide you want to be a part of your children’s lives…Kudos to Michael…you represented the USA very well and we’re proud of you!

- Anonymous

Posted 08/21/08 12:05 PM

I think that life is too short to carry bad feeling about family aroud with you. I think that his mom sounds like a wonderful person but he has two parents whether and thats not gonna change. I hope he and his dad can have some kind of relationship. You only have one dad and one mom your lucky they are both still here some people don’t have that luxury.

- Denise

Posted 08/22/08 07:32 PM

Why does everyone think they know whats going on in the Phelps family?? Quit trying to analyze people u dont even know. Its their business not ours.

- me

Posted 08/23/08 07:13 PM

I would love to give credit to my X husband. But I cant tell you one thing he has done for his kids since we divorced. I would give up the small amount of support he pay’s just to see my kids get to grow up with a father in their lives that cared about them a little more than he did him-self!

- sandy

Posted 08/26/08 08:24 PM

How can people mind their own business when all of his personal business is written for the public.

- me

Posted 08/31/08 07:30 PM

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