So I Don't Have Six Gold Medals; At Least I Never Overslept a Race

One of my biggest fears during my unremarkable competitive swimming career was that I would miss a race. I never did. Michael Phelps, arguably the most dominant athlete in the world, on the other hand:

Phelps, winner of six gold medals and two bronzes at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, slept through a preliminary heat for the 400-meter free earlier in the day but came back to win the 400 individual medley on Saturday night at the Columbus Grand Prix. . . .

Phelps said while he was stretching on a lower dive platform he apparently dozed off, preventing him from qualifying for the 400 free.