Phelps explains the le Clos ‘death stare’

What was really going on with #PhelpsFace? Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps finally explains.

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Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps has finally explained his #PhelpsFace, thought to have been directed at SA’s Chad le Clos.

Last week le Clos was pictured shadowboxing in front of Phelps with the American in the background apparently giving him a “death stare”.

Later that day when Phelps beat le Clos in the 200m butterfly semi-final, the internet went crazy, quickly giving the look its own name - #PhelpsFace - and spawning jokes, memes, and even a tattoo.

But what was really going on when Phelps made the now-iconic expression?

“I just had music going on in my head. I had thoughts going on in my head, spitting water a little bit all over the place, so I was in my own zone,” the 28-time Olympic medallist told TODAY on Tuesday.

“I was not intentionally mean mugging him or giving him a dirty look,” Phelps said.

IOL