#PhelpsFace arises from Rio de Janeiro and USA swimmer

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- He looked like something created by George Lucas, wearing his oversized hood and sporting a demonic stare.

But Michael Phelps isn't buddy's with stormtroopers or a member of 'the Dark Side.' He's the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 23 medals.

"Everyone has their own race strategy. If that's his, that's his," Phelps told NBC's Michelle Tafoya.

On Monday he opened up a window and allowed fans to peak inside his mindset for a brief moment in Rio de Janeiro.

Before the 200-meter butterfly, Phelps sat alone in a chair. He was covered in a shadow and wearing a large jacket that mirrored a robe similar to that featured in a science fiction thriller. He stared directly at South African swimming Chad Le Clos as he danced annoyingly in front of him.

The internet, per usual, responded by turning #PhelpsFace into a viral meme. The swimmer himself went on to finish second to Hungary's Tamas Kenderesi. He still qualified for Tuesday's event.

Phelps won gold on Aug. 7 after his team, including Caeleb Dressel, Ryan Held, and Nathan Adrian won the 4x100-meter freestyle in 3:09.92 at the Summer Games.