How to win an Olympic Gold Medal in second place like Michael Phelps

If you want to understand this post, watch the 100 butterfly video below. Enough said.

Every time I watch that race I get super excited. It makes me want to swim a 100 butterfly just so I can finish like that. But anyway I don’t only want you to marvel at Phelps’ finish, I want you to know how you can finish your 100 butterfly like a boss also.

How To Finish A 100 butterfly Like Michael Phelps

If you want to find this race on google, all you have to do is type “100 butterfly” or “Phelps miracle finish” But was his finish really a miracle? Well no it wasn’t and it’s quite easily explained using underwater cameras.

Here is the explanation in one sentence: Cavic finished with his head up and Phelps finished with his head down. It is that simple!

Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

So why am I bringing this up 5 years later? To prove the point that the simple things make a difference. Putting your head down on the finish is something I teach 8 year olds, but it can obviously the difference between an Olympic gold or a silver.

Look for advanced techniques, but don’t forget the basics, because that’s what champs are made of.

100 Butterfly From Underwater