Swim Across America is proud to announce Michael Phelps as the official race starter of our inaugural Baltimore event! Michael became the youngest (15 years old) male world record holder in modern history. He gave up his collegiate eligibility at 16 to turn professional, becoming the youngest American male swimmer to turn professional.

Michael rewrote the record books in the greatest individual performance of any Olympian by winning eight gold medals and setting seven world records at the 2008 Games. Michael's record-breaking performance in 2009 further cemented his status as one of the greatest swimmer of all time. At the 2009 FINA World Championships in Rome, Michael captured six medals and broke four world records, surpassing Mark Spitz with the most career world records of all-time (37 total, 29 individual, 8 relay)

Michael is steadfast in his efforts to grow the sport of swimming. Michael established the Michael Phelps Foundation with the well-publicized $1 million dollar bonus from his partner Speedo. The Michael Phelps Foundation works to promote healthy, active lives, especially for children, primarily by expanding the opportunities for participation in the sport of swimming.

To further promote the sport of swimming, Michael launched The Michael Phelps Swim School in 2009, MPSS developed a learn-to-swim program that aims to build comfort, confidence, and a feel for the water through fun, innovative, and imaginative instruction.