In 2008, Michael Phelps used his $1 million Olympic bonus to start a foundation; by 2020, it had reached 100,000+ young people

In 2008, Michael Phelps used his $1 million Olympic bonus to start a foundation; by 2020, it had reached 100,000+ young people (Image Credit: Michael Phelps Foundation) Winning eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics brought Michael Phelps worldwide recognition, but the swimmer also wanted to use his success to make a difference beyond the pool. He put his $1 million sponsor bonus towards establishing the Michael Phelps Foundation, an initiative focused on encouraging swimming, water safety and healthy living among young people. According to Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of the foundation’s early efforts was a nationwide tour promoting his “Dream, Plan, Reach” message. Over the following years, its programmes expanded to include mental health education, reaching children through partnerships with youth organisations.From Olympic success to a wider purposePhelps had already made history in Beijing in 2008, winning eight gold medals at a single Olympic Games. But rather than keeping the entire sponsor bonus for himself, he used the $1 million to establish a foundation that could help more children discover swimming and learn skills that extend beyond sport. The Michae...