Twitter reaction: Shark takes down Michael Phelps in race

Michael Phelps joined Discovery Channel’s Shark Week for a program where he would essentially race a great white shark. The 28-time Olympic medallist lost to the shark.

Sportsnet Staff July 23, 2017, 9:52 PM

The world’s fastest swimmer tried to beat a shark in a race. Naturally, the Twitter universe ate it up.

Michael Phelps, in partnership with Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, took on a great white in a 100-metre time trial. Despite getting some upgrades, including a mono-fin, Phelps lost the race by two seconds.

The moment of glory for #TeamShark!!! #PhelpsVsShark #SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/NWYp1CwiRa

— Shark Week (@SharkWeek) July 24, 2017

Results are in. pic.twitter.com/HcigiGC0hq

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 24, 2017

While he didn’t win, Phelps seems already up for another shot at Earth’s scariest fish.

Rematch? Next time..warmer water. #SW30 @Discovery @SharkWeek

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) July 24, 2017

Fans on Twitter had a wide variety of takes on the race. Some were surprised the race was a time trial instead of side-by-side like in the Olympics while others were just happy with how close the race was.

https://twitter.com/MikeKellyNHL/status/889289440191012868

Turns out “Michael Phelps races a shark” was really just “Michael Phelps swims alone and then compares his time to a shark’s time.”

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) July 24, 2017

We gotta give the shark all of Michael Phelps medals now, he won them fair and square.

— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) July 24, 2017

https://twitter.com/Carrieh_swim/status/889293370887204865

Phelps with lebron's versatility vs. a shark with Jordan's competitiveness who ya got?

— Brendan Clancy (@BrendanClancy) July 24, 2017

I feel like Phelps forgot about his secret weapon during that race. #phelpsface is worth 3 seconds easily #PhelpsVsShark #sharkweek pic.twitter.com/lcawi6IPg3

— Samuel Jay Smith (@samueljsmith) July 24, 2017