"I always remember my losses"- When Michael Phelps used Ian Crocker's picture as motivation for redemption at 2004 Olympics

Michael Phelps was at world record pace in the semifinals of the 100-meter butterfly at the 2003 World Championships. Earlier, Ukraine's Andriy Serdinov had set the world record in the first semifinal with a timing of 51.76, and in the second semifinal, the Baltimore Bullet raced to finals in 51.47, setting a new record on the same day. Although he would better the time in the finals, Phelps had to face a shock defeat at the hands of fellow American, Ian Crocker.

Crocker had never broken the 52-second barrier in his career. However, the Olympic champion went on to become the first swimmer to break the 51-second barrier in the world, clocking a blistering 50.98 for the gold medal. Phelps finished in 51.10 for the silver while Serdinov took home the bronze medal in 51.59.

Having clocked his personal best twice, first in the semifinals and then the finals, and still losing had Michael Phelps thinking about the loss for a long time. He eventually turned it to motivation and avenged his loss at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Speaking in a Peacock-released documentary in 2021, “Michael Phelps: Medals, Memories & More", Michael Phelps claimed that he put Ian Crocker’s image from Swimming World Magazine in front of him, contemplating that he was never going to let himself have that feeling of ‘defeat’ again.

“So for me, I’m somebody that always remembers my losses more than I remember my wins. I wanted to relive that moment that whole entire next year. What I did was, I got a Swimming World and I put (Crocker’s) face up on the wall just to see and to feel that moment of whether it was defeat, whether it was me not being prepared or whatever it was. I was not going to have that feeling again when I had the chance," he claimed. (via Swimming World)

It turned out to be an epic finish in Athens. The world champion was leading the race upfront, but Michael Phelps tracked him down to finish first in 51.25s for the gold medal. Crocker finished second in 51.29s for the silver medal.

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A defeat from Paul Biedermann spurred another majestical comeback from Michael Phelps in 2009

Santa Clara International Grand Prix - Day 2

At the 2009 World Championships, Michael Phelps finished second in 200-meter freestyle while Germany’s Paul Biedermann won the gold, and in the process, broke Baltimore Bullet's world record in 1:42.00.

However, the defeat yet again served as motivation for Phelps, and he would go on to win all the remaining four events. He left the world championships with five gold medals in 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 4x100m freestyle, 4x200m freestyle, and 4x100m medley. Phelps also took home four world records and a championship record.