Familiar Maryland cheer brings a smile to Phelps' face
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It was quite an emotional moment for Michael Phelps on the medal stand after winning gold in the 200-meter butterfly by besting the defending champ and longtime rival Chad le Clos.
Phelps teared up as "The Star Spangled Banner" began to play. But then Phelps heard a familiar sound from the stands that made him chuckle.
"My boys from Baltimore were down at the other end” of the aquatics center, Phelps recalled in an interview on NBC later in the evening. “Back in Maryland, we all say ‘O!’ for the Orioles during the national anthem.”
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Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps of the Unites States, holds their son Boomer and Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother, celebrate after the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, fiancee of Michael Phelps of the Unites States, holds their son Boomer and Debbie Phelps, Michael's mother, celebrate after the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final on Day 8 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 13, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Billy Bush takes a photo with Nicole Johnson and Boomer Phelps on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, Boomer Phelps and Debbie Phelps join Hoda Kotb and Matt Lauer on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson and Boomer Phelps pose for a photo on the TODAY show set on Copacabana Beach on August 12, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps of the United States, holds their son Boomer on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Boomer Phelps, the son of Michael Phelps of the United States, is seen on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Gold medalist Michael Phelps of the United States celebrates with his mother Deborah Phelps, fiancee Nicole Johnson and son Boomer during the medal ceremony for the Men's 200m Butterfly Final on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Nicole Johnson, partner of Michael Phelps, holds their son Boomer on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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United States' Michael Phelps' son Boomer wears ear protection during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Michael Phelps' son Boomer looks on during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
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USA's Michael Phelps' mother Deborah (L), partner Nicole Johnson (C) and son Boomer watch swimming events from the tribune during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 8, 2016.
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Deborah Phelps (R), mother of Michael Phelps, and partner Nicole Johnson (C) with their son Boomer celebrate gold in the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Michael Phelps points up at his son, Boomer, as his family celebrates gold in the Final of the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay on Day 2 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium on August 7, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
AP Photo/Michael Sohn
Boomer Phelps and his mom, Nicole Johnson.
“I heard them roar, ‘O’ and I knew exactly where it came from,” Phelps said.
It’s true, for anyone who has been to Camden Yards in Baltimore, or even if you’ve just attended a sporting event of any kind with an Orioles fan, you’ve probably experienced the “O!” screams when the singer belts out “Oh say does that star spangled banner yet wave…”
If you haven’t, well, here’s a taste of what you’ve missed:
Here’s hoping Phelps’ Baltimore boys also brought some Old Bay to Rio to celebrate afterward in true Baltimore style.
