Sharks are awesome, and so is winning 28 medals at the Olympics.

Just the 23 golds, nothing to see here.

Michael Phelps’ latest challenge is something a little out of the ordinary, though, and forms part of the Discovery Channel’s annual Shark Week, which kicks off July 23 (Sunday).

Via Consequence of Sound, here’s the press release from the Discovery Channel:

“They are one of the fastest and most efficient predators on the planet: Sharks. He is our greatest champion to ever get in the water: Michael Phelps. 39 world records. 23 Olympic golds. But he has one competition left to win. An event so monumental no one has ever attempted it before. The world’s most decorated athlete takes on the ocean’s most efficient predator: Phelps v. Shark – the race is on!”

It comes with a suitably dramatic trailer:

If you crunch the numbers, Phelps shouldn’t stand much of a chance:

Phelps holds the records for fastest 100m and 200m butterfly, with an average speed between 5.25 and 6 mph. On the other hand, a great white shark was built to hunt and kill in the open water and clocks in at 25 mph. Maybe Phelps will have added motivation if he’s literally swimming for his life, but Discovery might want to give him a head start either way.

Sure, but imagine the TV ratings if Phelps gets nibbled on?

Some images from filming, which took place in our neck of the woods:

Over on the Sun, their experts don’t give Phelps much chance:

Tooni Mahto from the Australian Marine Conservation Society told BBC Radio 5 live: “it is a forgone conclusion as to who is going to come out on top”

Former Olympic teammate and 12 time gold medallist Ryan Lochte shares the same confidence in Phelps, saying “Hell no” when asked about Phelps chances.

Is Ryan Lochte still a thing?

The special will air on Sunday night in the U.S., so I guess we’ll be seeing it at some point next week.

If Phelps loses, it might make some of our surfers think about charging their next wave.

[sources:consequenceofsound&thesun]