Michael Phelps sparks online debate at charity poker event
Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, drew unexpected attention during a celebrity poker event, where a brief and friendly interaction with model India Love sparked a backlash online, reports BritPanorama.
The retired swimmer, now 40, participated in a charity tournament alongside high-profile names including tennis player Taylor Fritz, comedian Joe Gatto of Impractical Jokers, and former NBA champion Paul Pierce.
While the sporting talent at the table commanded interest, a light-hearted moment away from the cards captured social media’s focus. During the game, Phelps stepped away from his seat to congratulate Love following a move she made at the table. The pair exchanged a short embrace before he returned to speak with her, their interaction filmed by cameras present at the event.
Footage showed Phelps maintaining an arm around Love momentarily as they continued talking. This scene prompted discussion online, though nothing within the footage suggests anything other than casual friendliness between the two.
Love, 29, appeared delighted with her performance, exclaiming, “You see me? I’m doing my damn thing. They ain’t f*****g with me.” Phelps laughed and replied, “I see you,” before returning to his seat following a further brief exchange. His appearance, marked by long hair tied in a bun and a full beard, marked a departure from the clean-cut image many associate with his Olympic career.
Phelps’ personal life soon cropped up in discussions, given his profile as a married father of four. He has been married to Nicole Phelps, formerly Miss California USA, since 2016, and the couple have been in a long-term relationship since 2007. Although some social media users mistakenly believed they were expecting another child after a recent Instagram photo of Nicole during a past pregnancy, the couple confirmed they are not anticipating another addition.
This confusion contributed to reactions to the poker clip, though the footage itself did not indicate inappropriate behaviour from Phelps. Comments online varied from mild mockery to surprise, with some describing the exchange as “cringe” largely due to Phelps’ reserved public persona. Others countered by questioning why the moment drew scrutiny at all, pointing out that it portrayed nothing more than casual interaction between acquaintances in a lively, public setting.
Importantly, there appears to be no indication from either participant that the exchange was anything but amicable. Phelps’ appearance at the poker table stands in stark contrast to the career that made him a global icon. Across five Olympic Games, from Athens 2004 to Rio 2016, he amassed an unparalleled 23 gold medals and 28 total medals, which redefined dominance in competitive swimming.
His achievements include eight golds at Beijing 2008, a feat unmatched in a single Games, along with multiple world records in events ranging from the butterfly to freestyle and medley disciplines. Now retired from competition, Phelps remains a prominent sports figure, advocate for mental health, and an occasional presence at public events such as charity tournaments. This recent incident serves as a reminder of how the line between public persona and personal interaction can easily blur, attracting a myriad of interpretations.
