Michael Phelps made an attack striking to the Usa Swimming leadership, the United States Swimming Federation. Owner of 23 Olympic gold medals, he called the direction of the entity of the weak and charged comprehensive reforms after which he considers years of organizational decline.
The 40-year-old American, the most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, with 28 medals, said he may not want his four young children to compose in sport, given the current state of swimming in the United States.
According to Phelps, frustration comes from its time as a professional athlete. He stated that he often felt that his voice was not heard, “they told him to be grateful for the chance to compete” and that it was more important to be quiet and maintain peace.
“First, I must make it clear that I have the utmost respect for the American swimmers who competed in the World Championship,” wrote Phelps, who retired in 2016, in a long statement on Instagram.
“My criticism is by no means directed at them – I will work hard and how honorable they are in representing the national team of the United States. My criticism is about the system, their leadership and how it is failing. There have always been cracks in the system, but in the last nine years I saw these cracks grow,” he added.
Sought, USA Swimming did not comment until the publication of this text.
Phelps had already criticized the state of US swimming during the World Water Sports, finalized on the last day 3. With 32 medals (10 gold, 11 silver and 11 bronzes), the United States was behind in gold from China (15) and Australia (13).
The former belly said he sent a letter to USA Swimming earlier this year earlier this year addressing his “frustrations with the state of sport.” The text was shared with the Usopc (United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee).
“I asked myself what has changed in our sport, and the answer is clear … This is not the athletes’ fault, as they keep doing the best they can with what was given to them. This is the fault of USA Swimming’s leadership,” he said.
“Weak leadership spreads and can impact an organization at all levels. Money is a factor. But deficient operational controls and weak leadership are the cornerstone of sports problems,” he added.
Phelps has proposed a series of renovations, including an independent assessment of USA Swimming and its organization management, improving services to athletes and strengthening base efforts to reverse the decline in the number of members.
“I offer my services to be a resource in these proposed initial steps and I hope the Swimming community accepts my offer.”
