At what age did Michael Phelps begin swimming?

Michael Phelps began swimming at age seven. His sisters helped influence his interest in the sport, and swimming also gave him an outlet for his energy as a child in Maryland.

Phelps did not immediately set out to become an Olympic champion. His mother first wanted him to learn basic water safety, but he and his sisters soon developed a deeper enthusiasm for swimming. That early start gave him years to build technique and endurance before elite competition.

By age 10, Phelps held a national age-group record in the 100-meter butterfly. At 11, he began training with Bob Bowman at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, a partnership that shaped his career. He later qualified for his first Olympics at age 15 in 2000, becoming the youngest U.S. male Olympic swimmer in decades.