Video captured by D’Artagnan Dias

Video produced by Coleman Hodges

When asked about Phelps’ contribution as a leader on the 2016 Olympic Team, Nathan Adrian took it a step further and reminded us of the huge role Michael Phelps has taken as the sports biggest ambassador. The reigning Olympic champ cited when Phelps won 8 gold medals at the 2008 Beijing olympics, he got a $1,000,000 bonus from Speedo. Phelps took that bonus and didn’t spend it on himself, but rather started the Michael Phelps Foundation, thus giving the sport a huge program where kids can be involved with swimming in a myriad of ways.

Phelps’ leadership as a member of the 2016 Olympic team could not be more evident, as he was not only voted as 1 of 6 team captains by his peers, but also voted by other olympians to be the U.S. flag bearer in the opening ceremony.