United States’ Michael Phelps (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Michael Phelps has pretty much accomplished everything there is in professional swimming, and he’s ready to face perhaps his greatest adversary yet.
Instead of racing against the best swimmers in the world, the American Olympian will attempt to out-swim one of the most ferocious water predators known to man.
Discovery Channel recently announced a TV special for its annual Shark Week on July 23 called “PHELPS VS. SHARK: GREAT GOLD VS. GREAT WHITE,” which will feature a race between the legendary swimmer and one Great White Shark.
“They are one of the fastest and most efficient predators on the planet: Sharks. He is our greatest champion to ever get in the water: Michael Phelps 39 world records. 23 Olympic golds,” the TV network said in a press release.
“But he has one competition left to win. An event so monumental no one has ever attempted it before. The world’s most decorated athlete takes on the ocean’s most efficient predator: Phelps V Shark—the race is on!”
The 31-year-old Phelps also teased his upcoming showdown with a photo on his Instagram account.
A post shared by Michael Phelps (@m_phelps00) on
Although Phelps has accomplished several superhuman feats underwater during his illustrious career, he’s going to have his work cut out for him against the majestic beast.
Sharks typically swim an average of 5 miles per hour, but Great Whites are known to cruise around 25 mph when in attack mode, according to Jennifer Kennedy of ThoughtCo.com.
ESPN, meanwhile, noted that Phelps clocked around 6 mph in 2010.
Aside from competing against a Great White Shark, Phelps will also appear in another “Shark Week” project: “Shark School,” which will dispel myths and common misconceptions about the fish. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
