ASU Olympians

In three Olympic Games, Michael Phelps, the world's most decorated Olympian, has claimed 22 medals: 18 of them gold, with a pair of silver and a pair of bronze. Coached by Bob Bowman, Phelps has learned from one of the most successful swim coaches in the U.S. With the recent acqusition of Bowman to Arizona State's Swim & Dive program, Phelps followed his coach to the desert to train with him for the upcoming 2016 summer Olympics in Rio de Janiero.

However, with Phelps, came national recognition for the univeristy. Phelps swam two exhibition races during ASU's dual meet against U of A, a day where records were set and the masses piled into the Mona Plummer Acquatic Center. This followed the recognition that came after Phelps jumped out of ASU's iconic "Curtain of Distraction" during a basketball game against Oregon State.

The elite athlete quickly went viral, and with him, so did the Curtain of Distraction. This has been a common theme for the university, one that has been reaping the benefits of Phelps' adopted home, and one Phelps plans to stay in after the 2016 Olympics when he will be a volunteer assistant coach for the ASU Swim & Dive program.