While His Son Won 8 Golds, Michael Phelps' Father Watched From Home

As Michael Phelps won eight gold medals and accomplished the greatest Olympic performance ever, his mother and his two older sisters got almost as much face time on NBC as Bob Costas. We saw features about Phelps' mom, Debbie, we heard her screaming during races and saw her crying afterward. But we never heard from Phelps' dad.

It turns out that Michael hasn't heard from him either.

Phelps' father, Fred Phelps, divorced Debbie when Michael was 9, and Michael has said that Fred has played almost no role in his life since then. Not only did Fred not travel to Beijing, he hasn't even had so much as a phone call with Michael during the Olympics.

The New York Post caught up with Fred Phelps on Wednesday outside his home in suburban Baltimore, and the paper reports that he tried to deflect attention from their strained relationship. "I'm very proud of him and all he's done," Fred said. "This is not about me, it's about him."

Asked why the two haven't spoken, Fred Phelps said, "He's so busy, I'm sure not even his agent can get a hold of him."

That's a clever line, but it's a sad commentary on the state of their relationship that Michael's own father knows his place in his son's life ranks somewhere below the place of his agent.

Michael Phelps

A sign outside Windsor Mill Middle School, where Debbie Phelps is the principal, displays a congratulatory message for American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps Thursday, August 21, 2008 in Windsor Mill, Md. Thursday was first day back to work for Debbie Phelps after rooting on her son in Beijing. (AP Photo/ Steve Ruark)

Debbie Phelps, the mother of American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, greets a police officer as she arrives at Windsor Mill Middle School, where she is the principal, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008, in Windsor Mill, Md. It's her first day back to work after cheering on her son in Beijing. (AP Photo/ Steve Ruark)

Debbie Phelps, the mother of American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, speaks to reporters outside Windsor Mill Middle School, where she is the principal, Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008 in Windsor Mill, Md. Thursday was Debbie Phelps' first day back to work after cheering on her son in Beijing. (AP Photo/ Steve Ruark)

Debbie Phelps, the mother of American Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, speaks to reporters outside Windsor Mill Middle School, where she is the principal, Thursday, August 21, 2008 in Windsor Mill, Md. Thursday was Debbie Phelps' first day back to work after cheering on her son in Beijing. (AP Photo/ Steve Ruark)

US Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps takes part in a 2008 Beijing Olympic Games sponsor event in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Phelps and four other swimming champions, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, Alexander Popov and Ian Thorpe have earned a staggering total 48 Olympic medals. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

US Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps (3rd L), together with former Olympic Games swimming champions (L to R) Ian Thorpe, Natalie Coughlin, Phelps, Katie Hoff and Alexander Popov take part in a 2008 Beijing Olympic Games sponsor event in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Phelps and four other swimming champions, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, Alexander Popov and Ian Thorpe have earned a staggering total 48 Olympic medals. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

US Olympics swimming sensation Michael Phelps arrives at a 2008 Beijing Olympic Games sponsor event in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Phelps and four other swimming champions, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, Alexander Popov and Ian Thorpe have earned a staggering total 48 Olympic medals. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

US Olympics swimming sensation Michael Phelps (R), together with former Olympic Games swimming champion Alexander Popov of Russia, take part in a 2008 Beijing Olympic Games sponsor event in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Phelps and four other swimming champions, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, Alexander Popov and Ian Thorpe have earned a staggering total 48 Olympic medals. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

US Olympic swimming sensation Michael Phelps arrives for a 2008 Beijing Olympic Games sponsor event in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Phelps and four other swimming champions, Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, Alexander Popov and Ian Thorpe have earned a staggering total 48 Olympic medals. AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images