Michael Phelps in Rio: the power of trust and belief

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RIO de JANEIRO — Anyone in any kind of relationship — so this means pretty much everyone in the world — knows that there is always a tension, if not a struggle, over power and control. Easy joke: especially if you’re married! (Note: Love you, honey, and it’s 25 years in September!)

The trick is to figure out how to accept direction, guidance, criticism and more from the other, understanding that he or she genuinely wants the best for you — without all of that leading to feelings of being diminished, demeaned or, worse yet, submission.

From left, 100 fly silver medalists Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, Chad le Clos of South Africa and Michael Phelps, with gold medalist Joe Schooling of Singapore // Getty Images

Draw your chairs closer into this little group therapy circle, please: that acceptance explains precisely why Michael Phelps is swimming unbelievably great at these 2016 Olympics, which he swears — uh-huh — will be his last.

To read the rest of this column, please click through to NBCOlympics.com: http://bit.ly/2aPUxp6