Michael Phelps Makes History by Qualifying for Fifth Olympics

Michael Phelps is heading to Rio — and into the history books — after he became the first American male swimmer to qualify for five Olympic Games.

Phelps, already a 22-time Olympic medalist, finished first in the men’s 200-meter butterfly at the U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska, on Wednesday. Coming in second, Tom Shields also qualified to represent USA in the 2016 Summer Games.

“With everything that’s happened, being able to come back, that’s probably harder than any swim I’ve had in my life,” Phelps, 31, said after the race, according to USAToday.

Also Read: Michael Phelps Says He 'Didn't Want to See Another Day' During Alcohol Struggles (Video)

The Baltimore Bullet won six gold medals in Athens in 2004, eight in Beijing in 2008 and another four in London in 2012. But there has also been much turmoil in his life, including DUI arrests and suspensions by USA Swimming.

Now engaged to longtime girlfriend Nicole Johnson, and father to two-month-old son Boomer, he appears to be ready to represent his country again.

Phelps is expected to swim multiple events in Rio, depending on what he qualifies for this week. He will also swim the 100 fly and 200 individual medley. He scratched out of both the 100 and 200 freestyle events, though he could still be named to the relay teams based on previous results.

Also Read: Michael Phelps Suspended for Six Months by USA Swimming

“Just being able to finish how I want to is so important to me,” he said. “Getting on this team is what I wanted to do.”

The Rio Olympics begin Aug. 5 and will air on NBC and its sister networks. The event will also be streamed live on NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app.

The Rio Paralympics begin on Sept. 7 and will be streamed live on TeamUSA.org.

Also Read: Michael Phelps Apologizes for Second DUI Arrest: I Take Full Responsibility

See an Instagram of Phelps’ biggest fans below.

Mom and I are excited to go watch dad tonight!!

A photo posted by boomer phelps (@boomerrphelps) on Jun 28, 2016 at 3:00pm PDT

History.

Michael Phelps is the first American male swimmer to qualify for five Olympics: https://t.co/d6T7dRnu2u pic.twitter.com/xUWt1mz4P9

— ESPN (@espn) June 30, 2016