Rio Olympics 2016: The wild past of 21-time gold medallist Michael Phelps who smoked weed, parties with bikini-clad girls, went to rehab (TWICE) and dated a transexual model


THERE can be no disputing this: Michael Phelps is the greatest swimmer of all time.

The American, 31, won his 20th and 21st Olympic gold medals in Rio de Janeiro after a double success in the 200m butterfly and the 4x200m freestyle relay.

Michael Phelps is no stranger to a party, particularly after winning medals
Michael Phelps is no stranger to a party, particularly after winning medals
US swimmer Michael Phelps was caught using a bong during a party at the University of South Carolina in 2009
US swimmer Michael Phelps was caught using a bong during a party at the University of South Carolina in 2009

Phelps' golden feat throughout his distinguished career is something we may never see again... Certainly not in our lifetime.

But while the US superstar is a consummate professional in the pool, out of it let's not forget he is ultimate party animal.

Baltimore-born Phelps is - and rightly so - recognised for his in-pool antics, continually impressing, despite being on the scene for a whopping FIVE Olympic Games now.

Michael Phelps has already won three golds at the 2016 Olympics in Rio
Michael Phelps has already won three golds at the 2016 Olympics in Rio
Michael Phelps won two further gold medals on Tuesday to reach a staggering 21
Michael Phelps won two further gold medals on Tuesday to reach a staggering 21

However, it's worth noting that Phelps is not your average pro's pro when relaxing.

Rather than skipping any drink or drugs in his quest for glory, the American has been snapped on a number of occasions living up to his party-going reputation.

In fact, his love of a good time got him into trouble back in 2009 - not long after the Beijing Olympics where he won an astounding EIGHT golds.

Michael Phelps party antics made headlines across the world
Michael Phelps' party antics made headlines across the world

That year, Phelps lost a host of big-name sponsors after being pictured inhaling from a marijuana pipe during a party at the University of South Carolina.

One of his sponsors, Kellogg said: “Michael’s most recent behaviour is not consistent with the image of Kellogg."

Meanwhile, USA Swimming piled on, adding: “We decided to send a strong message to Michael because he disappointed so many people, particularly the hundreds of thousands of USA Swimming member kids who look up to him as a role model and hero.

Michael Phelps is snapped swigging from a bottle poolside during Bahamas holiday
Michael Phelps is snapped swigging from a bottle poolside during Bahamas holiday
US swimmer Michael Phelps certainly isnt your average pros pro out of the pool
US swimmer Michael Phelps certainly isn't your average pro's pro out of the pool
Michael Phelps shows off his pool skills during another famous 2013 party
Michael Phelps shows off his pool skills during another famous 2013 party

The organisation withdrew their funding of Phelps for the incident.

Five years prior to that, in November 2004, Phelps was arrested for drink-driving.

After pleading guilty, he was sentenced to 18 months' probation, fined around £200 and ordered to educate school kids about the perils of driving under the influence.

Swimmer Michael Phelps' mugshot after being arrested for drink-driving
Swimmer Michael Phelps' mugshot after being arrested for drink-driving
US star Michael Phelps parties at Story, a famous nightclub in Miami in 2013
US star Michael Phelps parties at Story, a famous nightclub in Miami in 2013
Despite any controversies, Michael Phelps has enjoyed a golden career
Despite any controversies, Michael Phelps has enjoyed a golden career

More recently and Phelps has still caused controversy, as in 2014 he was arrested for a second time for drink-driving and speeding.

The American was suspended for six months by US Swimming and dropped from the 2015 World Championships squad.

The repeat offence prompted Phelps to take on a 45-day stint in rehab - at the Meadows centre in Arizona.

Michael Phelps arrives at court in 2014 following his second drink-driving offence
Michael Phelps arrives at court in 2014 following his second drink-driving offence
Michael Phelps was just nine-years-old when his father and mother split up
Michael Phelps was just nine-years-old when his father and mother split up

While dealing with his demons, he worked on his troubled past, even making amends with his father - who split from his mother when Phelps was just nine-years-old.

His six weeks of help was clearly a game-changer for Phelps as he said: "Being able to rebuild a friendship with my father, that's something I've always wanted. We're starting from scratch."

Outside of his swimming and drink-drugs controversies, Phelps has still managed to make waves, as he is due to marry former Miss California Nicole Johnson.

Michael Phelps' fiancee and son were in the stands on Tuesday as swimmer won gold
Michael Phelps' fiancee and son were in the stands on Tuesday as swimmer won gold

The engaged pair have been together since 2009 and had their first son - Boomer Robert - in May of this year.

Yet before Phelps settled down, he was allegedly in a relationship with transgender Taylor Chandler, now 41.

The pair allegedly shared a year-long fling - after she underwent gender reassignment in her 20s - and she claimed the swimmer left her 'emotionally crippled'.

She said: "He took everything from me, so yes I am bitter.

Michael Phelps' alleged transgender ex-girlfriend Taylor Lianne Chandler
Michael Phelps' alleged transgender ex-girlfriend Taylor Lianne Chandler
Taylor Chandler was forced into adult movies in her bid to 'survive' following relationship to US swimmer Michael Phelps
Taylor Chandler was forced into adult movies in her bid to 'survive' following relationship to US swimmer Michael Phelps which left her 'crippled'

"He made me emotionally crippled, broken and a mere shell of who I used to be.

"After losing my career I did an adult film, not exactly something I ever would have chosen. I was trying to survive."

Chandler added: "Let's just say he [Phelps] makes Charlie Sheen look like an amateur."

Despite all of the headline-hitting, extra-pool antics though, let's never forget one thing: Michael Phelps is an extraordinary athlete.

21 gold medals, spanning five Olympic Games... So far.

That's some feat.

US superstar Michael Phelps and his incredible 21 Olympic gold medals
US superstar Michael Phelps and his incredible 21 Olympic gold medals

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