Watch A 15-Year-Old Michael Phelps Talk About His Olympic Goals

Before Michael Phelps was the most decorated Olympian ever, he was a 15-year-old kid who had attended the 2000 Summer Olympics, talking to local news about the experience. Like most teenagers, he was endearingly goofy. (He still is endearingly goofy.)

The sports producer for this 2001 interview with Phelps shared an excerpt on Reddit. It's neat to see the greatest swimmer's eyes light up about eventually getting his learner's permit. Even though Phelps says "um" endlessly, he's still rather composed for a kid his age.

The most amusing part, in hindsight, is his long-term goal to win gold in Athens in 2004. Phelps did a little better than that.