Michael Phelps was in tears when his son was born Thursday night.
“The coolest experience that I’ve ever had,” Phelps said in a video on his Facebook page Sunday. “As soon as he was born, he kind of had both of his arms up in the air and was super excited to see the world.”
Phelps also explained why he and fiancée Nicole Johnson named their baby Boomer Robert Phelps.
“Nicole and I just wanted something different and something cool,” Phelps said. “Boomer, I had just heard it. It’s kind of a pretty neat name. Nicole and I both kind of agreed to it. We have a couple nicknames in mind that we’ll look to share farther down the road, once he gets older.”
The middle name was chosen for “Bob,” the same name as Phelps’ longtime coach, Bob Bowman.
Boomer was born three weeks early, weighs 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and has a 1-year-old’s swimsuit waiting for him when he’s ready.
Phelps said Boomer fell asleep in his arms on Saturday while he watched a Washington Capitals-Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Playoffs game.
“The skin to skin’s been the best so far,” said Phelps, who hopes to have more kids. “Just kind of having him right next to your heart.”
Phelps is next scheduled to compete the first weekend of June in Austin, Texas, followed by the U.S. Olympic Trials from June 26-July 3 in Omaha, Neb.
Phelps said Boomer will travel to Omaha and to Rio, should Phelps qualify for his fifth Olympics.
VIDEO: Phelps’ interview with Matt Lauer
