The internet is buzzing after a clip of Shaquille O'Neal defeating swimming legend Michael Phelps in a head-to-head race resurfaced online. Fans are asking the same question: Is there anything the 52-year-old former basketball star can't do?
Shaq, a four-time NBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer, has proven his athletic prowess time and time again. He's also a reality TV veteran, having hosted the ABC series "Shaq Vs" from 2009 to 2010.
The show pitted Shaq against a variety of sports stars in their respective disciplines, with the big man taking on some of the best athletes in the world.
In season one, he faced off against American football quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, beach volleyball duo Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, former professional boxer Oscar De La Hoya, and baseball star Albert Pujols. But it was the finale, where Shaq went head-to-head against Michael Phelps at the Mangione Aquatic Center at Loyola University Maryland, that has captured the imagination of viewers years later.
Phelps, nicknamed "The Baltimore Bullet," is the most successful and decorated Olympian of all time, holding 23 Olympic gold medals. Despite this phenomenal record, he was surprisingly bested by Shaq in the first round of their swimming showdown.
The initial event was a freestyle race. Shaq had to swim 25 yards, while Phelps had to cover 50 yards with a five-second head start. The two athletes started from opposite sides of the pool, ensuring they would finish on the same side. In an incredible feat, Shaq finished the race in 23.14 seconds, while Phelps clocked in at 24.03 seconds. This gave the 15-time NBA All-Star the first point and put him in the lead.
Social media has been ablaze with reactions to the resurfaced clip, with many expressing their astonishment at Shaq's swimming prowess.
"That's made him special," one X user commented, "Insane coordination for a man his size."
"Wow that was an impressive performance by Shaq!!" another user wrote.
"Shaq a generational athlete," lauded a third.
Others pointed out the incredible feat of defeating Phelps, even if he was given a head start.
"Mr Phelps is a cheat code. Shaq barely won," one user remarked.
However, Shaq's victory was short-lived. He finished second in the relay race and lost the third round by a mere 0.17 seconds.
While he may have ultimately lost the overall competition, the fact that Shaq managed to beat Phelps in a swimming race is a testament to his extraordinary athleticism.
As a consequence of his defeat, Shaq was subjected to a rather humiliating punishment: he had to wear a bright pink swim cap and participate in a synchronised swimming lesson.
The episode, which garnered 4.34 million viewers, proved to be a success, leading to a second season of "Shaq Vs."
In season two, Shaq went on to play golf against Charles Barkley, compete in a dance-off against Justin Bieber, and even challenged Joey Chestnut to a hot dog eating contest.
At the end of the two seasons, Shaq's record stood at two wins, 12 losses, and one tie.
While Shaq may not have always come out on top, "Shaq Vs" remains a testament to his incredible versatility, proving that he is indeed a true athlete capable of excelling in a variety of disciplines.
