
In a notable move beyond his athletic career, Michael Phelps was honored with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award in January 2026. The award recognized his longstanding commitment to destigmatizing mental health issues and using his platform to promote psychological well-being. Following his retirement from competitive swimming, Phelps has focused on various philanthropic and business ventures, including investing in sports-related startups and developing his brand of swimming equipment. This recognition highlights the importance of mental health support in sports and beyond.