Michael Phelps of the U.S. smiles after winning the men’s 200m individual medley final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 2, 2012. [REUTERS/Toby Melville] FULL COVERAGE: The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games
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Michael Phelps of the U.S. smiles after winning the men’s 200m individual medley final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 2, 2012. [REUTERS/Toby Melville]

FULL COVERAGE: The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games

U.S. President Barack Obama is proving to be a swimming fan.

Less than a day after sending out a rare personal tweet to congratulate the most decorated Olympic athlete ever, Obama called Michael Phelps on the pool deck to hail his performance.

Phelps, still reeling from the previous day’s tweet, described the call as “pretty cool”.

“I answered the phone and the voice said ‘Michael?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Please hold for the President of the United States,” he told reporters on Thursday, after qualifying for the 100 metres butterfly semi-final.

“I was like, ‘wow’.”

READ ON: President Obama calls Michael Phelps before Thursday’s race

Maybe it’s because they’ve learned to live life that bit faster, maybe it’s because they’re doing it for someone they love; in the Olympic cycling time trial, being a mother is no obstacle to getting on the podium. The American winner, Kristin Armstrong, retired from competitive cycling in 2009 to have a baby. Few people doubted that she would get back on her bike, though some might have doubted she would get back to exactly where she left off, winning her second straight Olympic time trial gold on Wednesday at age 38. And Russia’s Olga Zabelinskaya, whose bronze was her second after Sunday’s road race, has two small boys at home of barely school age. How do they manage it? “My son has given me balance,” Armstrong said. “I can stop thinking about cycling.” READ ON: Motherhood and medals do mix in time trial
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Maybe it’s because they’ve learned to live life that bit faster, maybe it’s because they’re doing it for someone they love; in the Olympic cycling time trial, being a mother is no obstacle to getting on the podium.

The American winner, Kristin Armstrong, retired from competitive cycling in 2009 to have a baby.

Few people doubted that she would get back on her bike, though some might have doubted she would get back to exactly where she left off, winning her second straight Olympic time trial gold on Wednesday at age 38.

And Russia’s Olga Zabelinskaya, whose bronze was her second after Sunday’s road race, has two small boys at home of barely school age.

How do they manage it?

“My son has given me balance,” Armstrong said. “I can stop thinking about cycling.”

READ ON: Motherhood and medals do mix in time trial

FULL COVERAGE: The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta celebrates after winning the men’s 200m breaststroke final with a world record during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 1, 2012. [REUTERS/Michael Dalder] FULL COVERAGE: The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games
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Hungary’s Daniel Gyurta celebrates after winning the men’s 200m breaststroke final with a world record during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre August 1, 2012. [REUTERS/Michael Dalder]

FULL COVERAGE: The London 2012 Summer Olympic Games

Germany’s Kerstin Thiele reacts after defeating China’s Chen Fei in their women’s -70kg semi-final B judo match at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 1, 2012. [REUTERS/Darren Staples & Kim Kyung Hoon]

FULL COVERAGE: The London 2012 Olympic Games

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A performer takes part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Mike Segar]
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A performer takes part in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Mike Segar]

Britain’s flag bearer Chris Hoy holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Phil Noble]
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Britain’s flag bearer Chris Hoy holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Phil Noble]

Iran’s flag bearer Ali Mazaheri (C) holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Mike Blake]
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Iran’s flag bearer Ali Mazaheri (C) holds the national flag as he leads the contingent in the athletes parade during the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium July 27, 2012. [REUTERS/Mike Blake]