U.S. Gold Medal-winning swimmer MICHAEL PHELPS was profiled on CBS’ “60 Minutes” last night by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, who noted Phelps has debated whether or not to continue his career "over the last three years," and that has been the "most difficult period of his career." However, as he "approaches the last lap of his career with another Olympics in sight, Michael Phelps is once again training hard.” Phelps, who won a record-setting eight Gold Medals during the '08 Games, said, "After Beijing, I mean there's countless times where I've just wanted to be, like, ‘I don't want to do this anymore. I don't want to go to the pool every day.’” Cooper noted by early '09, Phelps "had a decision to make: Retire for good or jump back into the pool for a fourth Olympics and years of early morning workouts.” Phelps said, “It was hard because I didn't know if the passion or the fire was still inside of me, and it took a while for me to actually realize it myself.” Cooper said being photographed with a marijuana pipe did not help with the decision, as the “photo tarnished his image.” Phelps: “That was probably the lowest point in my career.” But he said of deciding to begin seriously training for the London Games, “I just woke up one morning and said, ‘Let’s do it.’” Cooper noted Phelps “has added seven sponsors since Beijing, including Head and Shoulders. It's estimated he's made $40 million so far over his career.” Phelps said of seeing himself in a Head and Shoulders ad, “It's kind of strange seeing myself right there.” Cooper added, “There's also a new Michael Phelps video game, a swimming race that forces players to get off the couch.” Cooper said, “With an eye on his post-Olympic career, Phelps and his foundation have taught thousands of kids to swim, many in urban neighborhoods.” Following the London Games, Phelps "wants to see what the rest of the world has to offer.” Phelps: “I've been able to go to all these amazing cities in my travels, and I haven't been able to see them at all. I see the hotel and I see the pool, that's it. And I'm just going to go and do whatever I want to do” (“60 Minutes,” CBS, 5/6).
