Michael Phelps Death Stare Inspires #PhelpsFace

The 2016 Rio Olympics may have found its own “McKayla Maroney is not impressed” moment in the form of Michael Phelps’ “death stare.” The 19-time Gold Medal winner was caught on camera clearly unimpressed with the pre-race gyrations of his South African rival Chad le Clos.

https://twitter.com/awhite018/status/762862983236026368

The screen-cap of Phelps quickly went viral over social media, leading users to compare the swimmer with Star Wars character Anakin Skywalker and inspiring the hashtag #PhelpsFace. Phelps’ infant son even got into the act, with a photo also going viral of the child seemingly making a similar face.

https://twitter.com/ChiBDM/status/762836153032581121

PHELPS COMING pic.twitter.com/PJOhNh75vE

— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) August 9, 2016

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Phelps has an issue with le Clos, considering the heated history between the two. In 2012, le Clos bested Phelps in the 200m Butterfly event and proceeded to trash-talk the American in the years since.

Last year le Clos told the AP: “I’m just very happy that he’s back to his good form, so he can’t come out and say, ‘Oh, I haven’t been training’ or all that rubbish that he’s been talking. Next year is going to be Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier.”

Michael Phelps. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/mewOF4N0CI

— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) August 9, 2016

For his part Phelps seemed motivated by the rivalry, beating le Clos by a full second in Monday night’s heat, setting up a showdown between the two for the Gold Medal on Tuesday.

When asked about le Clos by NBC broadcaster Michele Tafoya after the race, Phelps said, “I was trying to not really even look at him. He does his thing, I do my thing. I was watching the heat in front of me and seeing what they were doing. I’m obviously excited for the final.”

When you pour your cereal, then check the fridge and there is no milk #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/lu6U1AyZ4u

— Alexander (@Raginomicsss) August 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/majtague/status/762997172375781377

When you're just trying to get work and the #MTA is like "Nah". #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/vFUoSYsZRQ

— (((Ben Whitney))) (@WhitneyBen) August 9, 2016