NBC needs a Ready Room Cam. #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/z6rJ9Fe68o
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) August 9, 2016
Talk about a game face!
Michael Phelps can now add Internet meme to his long list of accomplishments, after his hilarious death stare aimed at rival Chad le Clos went viral. Watch the simultaneously awkward and hilarious moment in the video above!
The 31-year-old swimmer was captured grimacing and snarling at the South African competitor, who was dancing and shadowboxing in front of him before their big race at the Rio Olympic Games on Monday night, August 8.
Commentators couldn’t help but laugh, comparing his angry twitches to those of "a growling dog."
Now his grumpy face has gone viral. Us Weekly has selected some of the funniest fan reactions.
When another cashier opens and says "I can help the next person in line" & someone behind you goes over #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/KNEGuRDKnm
— Andrew Hunt (@Mr_AndrewHunt) August 9, 2016
https://twitter.com/max_read/status/762840005467185152
when you gotta win gold at 3 but take over the galaxy at 4 #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/HQHlgLqUUo
— Ello Raymond (@elloelloraymond) August 9, 2016
Michael Phelps angry is Eli Manning normal. pic.twitter.com/uUwR8Fmav9
— Bobby Atkinson (@BobbyAtkinson) August 9, 2016
omfg that cupping is serious business leigh tbh @leighmunsil pic.twitter.com/fEnVJIipW0
— darth:™ (@darth) August 9, 2016
Thinking about tomorrow night's dinner: liver, fava beans and a nice Chianti. #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/lryccjvEMF
— Sue Hovey (@SueHovey) August 9, 2016
So excited for all these edits to grace the internet #Phelps #leclos pic.twitter.com/utiSA8qlpf
— Amanda Patrick (@AmandaSellers22) August 9, 2016
@cjzero @accordingtobri pic.twitter.com/ZJZS3E06xU
— hehateme2012 (@hehateme2012) August 9, 2016
When class ends in 2 minutes but the teacher starts to give out homework. #PhelpsFace pic.twitter.com/7CKwfNtkCg
— Sagnik (@CurryConfed) August 9, 2016
Phelps addressed le Clos’ pregame tactics after the semifinal heat for the men’s 200m butterfly, saying: "Everyone has their own race strategy. If that's his, that's his.”
Le Clos famously snatched gold from Phelps in the same event at the 2012 Olympics.
This year’s semifinal results saw Hungarian Tamás Kenderesi come in first, Phelps second, and le Clos third.
The final will take place on Wednesday, August 10.
