Michael Phelps spotlights athletes' mental health struggles

Michael Phelps. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michael Phelps spotlights athletes' struggles with mental health

By Austen Bundy | Last updated 5/21/24

Five-time Olympian Michael Phelps recently highlighted his yearslong battle with depression and pushed for more attention for athletes' mental health ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, said he viewed his early signs of depression "as a sign of weakness" but ultimately learned opening up and asking for help would be in his best interest.

"I'm trying to be better than anybody, period, has ever been. So, for me, I looked at it as weakness," he said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "So, for me, I had to learn that vulnerability is a good thing. And it was scary at first, but I learned that vulnerability just means change. And for me, it was a great change."

Phelps, 38, also called out U.S. Olympic training officials for denying him care ahead of the 2008 games, adding "the athletes need to be first."

WATCH: @MichaelPhelps says the U.S. Olympic Committee is “not doing everything they can” to put athletes first — despite he and other athletes speaking out.

Phelps: “I want what’s right, period. … I won't stop until everything is done that I think needs to be done.” pic.twitter.com/sX4pWVbAp8
— Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) May 19, 2024

"I couldn't get access. No physical trainer would help me," he said. "So if that's happening with me, it's happening with others too. So if we're supposed to be these athletes that are representing our country, then put the athletes first."

The 23-time Olympic gold medalist is still optimistic American athletes will dominate in Paris this summer, even telling host Jimmy Fallon of "The Tonight Show" that he's hopeful his medal-count record will be broken.

.@MichaelPhelps wants to see someone break his medal count record at the @NBCOlympics this summer! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/ahGeqWwXi2
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) May 10, 2024

"If somebody does have that dream and they're not afraid every single day to go after it, then I want the record to be broken," Phelps said. "I think it would be so cool to have somebody accomplish their goal and their dreams just like I did. I hope to one day be able to see it."

Phelps won't be getting back in the pool anytime soon to defend those records, telling Kristen Welker of "Meet The Press" it would take five years to make a comeback. But his awareness campaign will help more athletes speak up about their own struggles and hopefully force U.S. Olympic officials to offer more resources in the future.

U.S. Olympic swimming trials are June 15 in Indianapolis. The Paris Olympics will take place July 26 through Aug. 11.

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