To add to his accomplishments, Michael competed in his first Olympics games in 2000 but DID NOT win any medals. He was 15 y/o at the time.
But I don't agree that his records will never be broken. I think that it is definitely possible. He is/was a freak of nature as an athlete but those come along every so often. Look at Usain Bolt... After years of USA domination in sprinting, he broke the 100m, 200m, and 4X100m world records and made it look easy even though he wasn't as fast off the starting line as other runners. His records will eventually be broken IMO.
Not totally disagreeing with you as anything is
possible I suppose, but from my pov--his 16th year of competition, the 5th Olympics game he was in...he was 31 years old. Not ready for a rocking chair on the front porch but without question at an age where he WAS considered the old man in that sport. Going up against most everyone else who were in the late teens, early to mid-20's, all at the peak time of their athletic abilities. To be able to just compete at 31 was an amazing feat....to win 6 total medals, 5 of them gold....at that age.....
It "is" possible, yes that another freak of nature will come along but considering the odds of having to start at the really young age as Phelps did and be able to hold up for as long as Phelps did--is a long, long shot.
Also consider the potential number of events one would have to win in that short window. Correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm not certain but I think about 7 or 8 events in swimming is the most really possible to compete in....and that's including individual and team. IF someone won
all Gold in 8 events!....
3 straight Olympics!--is the only way to top Phelps. His 23 Gold would be beaten by a mere one. And again, that's winning GOLD in every event over 12 years worth of Olympics! That is completely staggering when you consider it broken down that way.
Not saying can't happen, but I would not expect anyone to even come close to be honest.