The Special Olympics Chicago hopes that despite his retirement announcement, Michael Phelps will just keep swimming -- into the icy waters of Lake Michigan this winter.
The typically star-studded event is courting Phelps to be the special guest of next year's Chicago Polar Plunge.
In a tweet to the star Olympian, the Special Olympics wrote, “Congratulations @MichaelPhelps! Look ahead to your next big splash. Join @SpecialOChi & @nbcchicago at #ChicagoPolarPlunge on 3-5-17.”
Over the last few years, the Chicago Polar Plunge has featured stars including The Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon, actor Vince Vaughn, musician Lady Gaga, cast members from “Chicago Fire,” “Chicago Med” and “Chicago PD”, and celebrities from The Today Show.
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Phelps finished the Rio Games this summer, said to be his fourth and final Olympics, as the most decorated Olympian in history, with 28 total medals, 23 of them gold.
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“Michael Phelps is an icon in the world of swimming and an athlete that everyone has loved watching and following through the years,” Susan Nicholl, executive director of SCC/Special Olympics Chicago said in a statement. “Now is the perfect time for Michael to make a splash in the city of Chicago, by taking part in the Chicago Polar Plunge. It would be a life-changing experience for our athletes, and an incredible example of the one of the world’s greatest athletes giving back to other athletes. After winning five gold medals and one silver medal at the Rio Olympics, jumping into Lake Michigan is easy!”
The Chicago Polar Plunge is the largest fundraiser of the year for Special Olympics Chicago. In 2015, plungers raised more than $1 million to support athletes involved in the organization. Last year, the event shattered its record, raising $1.5 million.
NBC is a proud sponsor of the Polar Plunge.
Registration for the event opens in December.
