Phelps is the most decorated Olympian, with 23 Olympic golds and 39 world records in the pool, and is currently the fastest human on the planet in the water. But, how does he fare against a shark? During Shark Week we will find out! The Discovery Channel will feature Shark Week July 23 – July 30, 2017. According to the network, the Olympican will help kick off Shark Week 2017 on July 23rd with a show called “Phelps vs. Shark: Great Gold vs. Great White.” In this show Phelps races a great white shark over about 100 meters in open water, but according to reports they were not side by side. A monofin was attached below his feet to help even the score. No one is reporting how close Phelps got to the great white, but his fastest race speed in the pool was about five to six mph and sharks casually swim about six mph, however they swim much faster when attacking or hunting. According to USA today, Phelps was able to reach speeds of eight to twelve mph, with the help of the monofin. Phelps will also make a second appearance on July 3oth, where he reportedly gets within a foot of a hammerhead shark.
