Sports
Sports

Michael Phelps laughs during medal ceremony; find out what caused chuckle

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 09: Gold medalist Michael Phelps poses as bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi of Hungary look on 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)

Credit: Pascal Le Segretain

Credit: Pascal Le Segretain

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - AUGUST 09: Gold medalist Michael Phelps poses as bronze medalist Tamas Kenderesi of Hungary look on 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)
By Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Aug 10, 2016

Hitting the Olympic medal stand for some is a once-in-a-lifetime moment; for others it has become old hat.

Swimmer Michael Phelps experienced a bit of levity Tuesday night while receiving another medal, WRC reported.

>>Michael Phelps' son Boomer is the youngest (and cutest) Team USA fan at the Rio Olympics

He started to laugh during "The Star-Spangled Banner."

>> Read more trending stories  

When the song got to the line "O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave," the crowd yelled, "O!"

You can watch the video here.

The shoutout during the national anthem was a tradition started in Baltimore at Orioles games. The Orioles are also known as the O's. Phelps originally is from Baltimore, Maryland.

>>#Phelpsface dominates in pool, on internet

Phelps was on the dais for winning gold in the 200-meter butterfly, beating Chad le Clos. He racked up his 20th and 21st gold medals Tuesday night.

About the Author

Cox Media Group National Content Desk
More Stories

Keep Reading

Georgia Southern accepted a berth to the Birmingham Bowl, but it is still awaiting an opponent. According to reports, no one has accepted an invitation yet. (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock

After delay, Georgia Southern reportedly knows its Birmingham Bowl opponent

Sun Belt rivals Georgia Southern and App State will play in the Birmingham Bowl, ccording to Brett McMurphy of On3.

Kennesaw State learns bowl fate, QB gets wish of ‘someplace warm’

Kennesaw State will take on Western Michigan in the Myrtle Beach Bowl on Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. It is the program's first-ever bowl game in just its second season in FBS.

Kennesaw State rolls to third straight win over rival Georgia State

Kennesaw State won its third game in a row, this time against in-state rival Georgia State, 92-69. It was the Owls' third straight win.

The Latest

Georgia Southern accepted a berth to the Birmingham Bowl, but it is still awaiting an opponent. According to reports, no one has accepted an invitation yet. (Sarah Peacock for the AJC)

Credit: Sarah Peacock

After delay, Georgia Southern reportedly knows its Birmingham Bowl opponent

Kennesaw State learns bowl fate, QB gets wish of ‘someplace warm’

Kennesaw State rolls to third straight win over rival Georgia State

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.