So many feels for the Phelps fam! Olympian Michael Phelps — who collected his 21st Olympic gold medal and 25th overall on Tuesday, August 9 — scrambled to celebrate his monumental victory with his fiancee, Nicole Johnson, their baby son, Boomer Phelps, and his mother, Debbie Phelps.
After beating his rival Chad le Clos in the 200-meter butterfly, the 31-year-old swimming champion rushed out of the pool to greet his biggest supporters in the stands. While the adult members of the family appeared to be overcome with emotion, baby Boomer was slightly more calm as he congratulated his father in the breathtaking moment.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 9: Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps holding their 3 months old baby son Boomer Phelps and Debbie Phelps, Michael’s mother cheer for Michael Phelps on his way to win a new gold medal in the men’s 200m butterfly on day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 09: Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer his 20th Gold medal during the medal ceremony for the Men’s 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Phelps immediately embraced his baby boy and planted kisses on Boomer, who was dressed adorably in a red, white and blue onesie, and of course, his matching noise-cancellation headphones.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 9: Gold medalist Michael Phelps of USA kisses his 3 months old son Boomer Phelps while his fiancee Nicole Johnson looks on following the medal ceremony for the men’s 200m butterfly on day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 9: Gold medalist Michael Phelps of USA kisses his 3 months old son Boomer Phelps while his fiancee Nicole Johnson looks on following the medal ceremony for the men’s 200m butterfly on day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Johnson cried tears of joy alongside her future mother-in-law. Debbie Phelps leaned down to cup her son’s face as she wept as her son secured his third gold medal at the 2016 Olympics.
.@MichaelPhelps couldn’t wait to celebrate his win with his biggest, tiniest, fan Boomer: https://t.co/VvHYcwmCpQ
https://t.co/tN1YLaTluY— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) August 10, 2016
This isn’t the first time baby Boomer has captivated viewers in Rio de Janeiro. Earlier this week on Monday, August 8, the little tot showed up to watch his dad compete with this headphones in tow.
RIO DE JANERIO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 08: Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps of the United States, holds their son Boomer during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on August 08, 2016. (Photo by Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Prior to Rio, Debbie opened up about her son’s accomplishments — and how he’s evolved through the years — to Baltimore’s local NBC affiliate WBAL.
The proud mother credited her son’s fiancee and son for helping the swim champ find stability and focus once again. “They’ve adjusted themselves so well,” Debbie said of Nicole and Boomer. “They talk together every night their conversation, and I just think they have a very special, loving bond between the three of them.”
USA’s Michael Phelps’ mother Deborah (L) and partner Nicole Johnson watch swimming events from the tribune during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 8, 2016. / AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)
She also shared what it’s like to now be in the cheering section with Nicole and Boomer. “You could say — maybe it’s like changing of the positions. I don’t know, but I will always be the mom in the stands,” Debbie reflected. “I’m hoping Boomer is smiling. She and I will probably be crying, and I will just thank God for everything.”
