It’s not every day that the most decorated Olympian of all time comes to town. In 2015, San Antonio played host to the USA Swimming National Championships, a key meet in preparation for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Among the swimmers in the pool for the championships was Micheal Phelps, who boasts 28 Olympic medals, more than any athlete in history.
In front of about 2,000 fans gathered at the Northside ISD Swim Center, Phelps and other top national swimmers did not disappoint. Seven-time Olympic Gold medalist Caeleb Dressel won the 50 and 100-meter freestyle, while Phelps swept the 100 and 200-meter butterfly, as well as the 200-meter individual medley. 
Phelps’ time of 50.45 in the 100-meter butterfly was the fastest time in the world for 2015. It came just a day after South Africa’s Chad le Clos swam a time of 50.56 for the win at the World Championships. Under pressure from le Clos and swim fans across the globe, Phelps’ time made him the unofficial World Champion. Understandably, upon finishing and seeing his time, Phelps pumped his fist and smacked the water, letting the world know he was back and ready for his first Olympics since coming out of retirement.
San Antonio’s hosting of the event was a testament to its long resume and the new, state of the art Northside Swim Center, built in 2013. Just a week earlier, the USA Swimming Junior National Championships were also held at the swim center.