11-year-old Michael Phelps swimming is an inspiration to us all

Michael Phelps officially became the most successful Olympian of all time on the morning of Friday, 12 August, 2016. The swimmer won his trademark 200m Butterfly event, making it 26 in total and 13 individual gold medals, breaking an ancient record that has been standing tall for over 2,000 years.

His comeback has been incredible to watch after coming out of retirement in 2014. Just when he decided to start competitive swimming again, he was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and sent to rehab, which forced him to miss the 2015 World Championships.

His aspiration to come back was fraught with uncertainty because as great as he had been, he would be 31 in Rio and no swimmer had ever won an individual medal at that age. Until now, of course.

But he is Michael Phelps and if there was one person who could do it, it certainly was him.

Also read: Michael Phelps is the greatest athlete of all time, he just tied a 2,000-year-old Olympic record

In Rio, he activated the god mode and has won four golds in four events, including the very impressive 200m Individual Medley.

On Thursday, a video of Phelps swimming when he was 11-years-old went viral on social media. He won the race by quiet a mile, and watching the young superstar cutting his way through the water is inspiring kids all across the world.

Many are posting their own timings in the comment section of the video (for a bittersweet contrast value, of course) and in a world of social media snark and negativity, this is a refreshing change.