Michael Phelps gets engaged to former Miss California

Eighteen-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Nicole Johnson in an Instagram post on Sunday.

Author:
Extra Mustard
Publish date:
Feb 23, 2015

Eighteen-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Nicole Johnson in an Instagram post on Sunday.

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Johnson and Phelps have been dating on and off since 2007, and she was named Miss California in 2010.

The swimmer is hoping to return to competition in April for an event in Mesa, Ariz., after serving a six-month suspension following a DUI in October.

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The 29-year-old Phelps has not yet decided whether he will attempt to compete in the 2016 Olympics in Rio, which would be his fourth Olympic games. Among his many Olympic accomplishments was the thrilling finish in the 100-meter butterfly in 2012, which SI captured with an underwater camera. - Brendan Maloy

Phelps Frame-By-Frame

Phelps' Miracle Finish

Michael Phelps was in big trouble in the 100-meter butterfly. He was seventh in the eight-man field after 50 meters.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

Phelps made a critical decision in the final meters to attempt another half-stroke while Serbia's Milorad Cavic (right) tried to glide to the finish.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

With less than a meter to go, Phelps still trailed Cavic and his only hope was to somehow out-touch the Serbian.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

Cavic was inches from stopping Phelps' quest for eight gold medals as the American reached over the water for his final half-stroke.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

Phelps brought his hands down through the water and touched the wall .01 seconds before Cavic finished his glide to the wall, swiping the gold medal and tying Mark Spitz' record of seven golds at one Olympics.

As seen in this blowup from the previous frame, Cavic hadn't touched the wall yet.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

The Serbian delegation filed a protest, but conceded that Phelps won after reviewing the tape provided by FINA, swimming's governing body.

Phelps Miracle Finish

Phelps won the same event in similar fashion at the 2004 Olympics, out-touching American Ian Crocker after trailing and winning the gold by .04 seconds.