![[photo, swimming pool, Reisterstown, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/sports/images/1198-1-4257b
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At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, swimmer Michael Phelps of Baltimore County, Maryland, became the most decorated athlete in the history of the modern Olympic Games. He won his 18th Olympic gold medal, which also was his 22nd career Olympic medal.
Swimming in Maryland gained worldwide attention in August 2008, when Michael Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1985, Phelps began swimming at age seven. Except for four years at the University of Michigan, his swim training has been at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, where his fellow Olympian, Allison Schmitt also trains.
In the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, Phelps won his first six gold medals as well as two bronze, in butterfly, freestyle relay, and individual medley.
Swimming pool, Reisterstown, Maryland, September 2009. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Throughout Maryland, swim clubs provide opportunities for competitive swimming to Marylanders of all ages. Competitive swimming is organized through Maryland Swimming.
Besides swimming pools, Maryland offers many opportunities for recreational swimming. Sixteen State Parks have swimming areas. Information about beach water quality can be found at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/md/nwis/current/?type=quality. Worcester County is home to all of Maryland's ocean beaches, and more information about them may be found at: www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/monitor/Beaches/BeachesMaryland.html
Held annually in June since 1982, the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim is 4.4 miles from Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County to Kent Island on the Eastern Shore. Limited to 600 swimmers, the Swim is held on the second Sunday in June (next scheduled for June 8, 2014).
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