Michael Phelps is widely celebrated as the greatest Olympian of all time. Known as the “Baltimore Bullet,” Phelps boasts an unparalleled record with 28 Olympic medals spanning four Games.
He holds the titles for the most Olympic gold medals (23), the most Olympic golds in individual events (13), and the most Olympic medals in individual events (16).
In 2009, Phelps faced off against Shaquille O’Neal in a unique challenge featured on the reality TV show Shaq Vs. The competition included a series of three races, accompanied by a friendly bet.
The loser of the challenge was required to fulfill any demand of the winner.
At the Mangione Aquatic Center in Loyola University Maryland, Shaquille O’Neal triumphed over Michael Phelps in a freestyle race. In this competition, O’Neal swam 25 yards, while Phelps swam 50 yards but with a five-second head start.
O’Neal completed his race in 23.14 seconds, while Phelps finished in 24.03 seconds.
READ MORE: Paris Olympics 2024: Manu Bhaker Secures Spot In 10m Air Pistol Women’s Final
As of 2021, O’Neal had an estimated net worth of $400 million. He has since expressed his intention to invest in his children’s future rather than simply giving them money.
He told Earn Your Leisure: “My kids are older now. They kinda upset with me – not really upset – but they don’t understand. Because I tell them all the time. We ain’t rich. I’m rich.
“You’ve got to have Bachelor’s or Master’s [degrees] and then if you want me to invest in one of your companies, you’re going to have to present it… bring it to me, I’ll let you know. I’m not giving you nothing.”
He continued: “There’s one rule: education. I don’t care if you play basketball. I don’t care about none of that.
“Listen, I got six kids. I would like a doctor, somebody to own a hedge fund, a pharmacist, a lawyer, someone that owns multiple businesses, someone to take over my business. But I tell them I’m not going to hand it to you. You gotta earn it.”
