Phelps Wins Historic 8th Gold Medal

Michael Phelps Owns The Record For Most Golds In A Single Olympics

(AP)  Cheering from the pool deck, Michael Phelps won his record eighth gold medal of the Beijing Games on Sunday to become the grandest of Olympic champions.

Jason Lezak held on to the lead Phelps gave him, anchoring the United States to a world record in the 400-meter medley relay against an Australian team that did its best to spoil history.

But Phelps, with a big hand from three teammates, would not be denied. He eclipsed Mark Spitz's seven-gold performance at the 1972 Munich Games, an iconic performance that was surpassed by a swimmer fitting of this generation: a 23-year-old from Baltimore who loves hip-hop music and texting with his buddies.

"I don't even know what to feel right now," Phelps said. "There's so much emotions going through my head and so much excitement. I kind of just want to see my mom."

Debbie Phelps was sitting in the stands at the Water Cube, tears streaming down her cheeks, her two daughters sitting with her.

Even though the Americans have never lost the medley relay at the Olympics, the latest gold was hardly a breeze. When Phelps dived into the water for the butterfly - the third of four legs - the Americans were third behind Japan and Australia.

But Phelps, swimming the same distance and stroke that he used to win his seventh gold a day earlier, powered back to the front on his return lap, passing off to Lezak with the Americans in front.

Australia's Eamon Sullivan tried to chase Lezak down and appeared to be gaining as they came to the wall. But Lezak touched in 3 minutes, 29.34 seconds - Phelps' seventh world record in his personal Great Haul of China.

The Aussies took silver in 3:30.04, also under the old world record, while Japan held on for the bronze.

"Nothing is impossible," Phelps said. "With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination, and that's something I learned and something that helped me."

Phelps patted breaststroker Brendan Hansen on the head and threw his arms in the air after Lezak finished, though the Americans still had to wait a couple of tantalizing minutes for the official results to be posted. Aaron Peirsol swam the leadoff leg for the Americans.

Finally, it flashed on the board.

World record.

Gold medal No. 8.

On deck, a beaming Phelps slapped hands with his teammates and thrust his arms toward the Water Cube roof. The winning swimmers locked arms as if they were in a football huddle about to break for a play.

Phelps, meanwhile, couldn't stop smiling.

"Without the help of my teammates this isn't possible," said Phelps, who won five individual races and three relays in Beijing.

"I was able to be a part of three relays and we were able to put up a solid team effort and we came together as one unit," he said. "For the three Olympics I've been a part of, this is by far the closest men's team that we've ever had. I didn't know everybody coming into this Olympics, but I feel going out I know every single person very well. The team that we had is the difference."

[fabrat1]

talkingham it appears the only record you could break would be the one for the stupidest comment ever. I''d be willing to bet you couldn''t even do a half a lap around a kiddie pool. Michale is fabulous and I have totally enjoyed watching the olympics this year.

[ibzjem]

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 11:39 PM : Aug 17, 2008

- I just saw a documentary on Michael Phelps. He consumes 10,000 calories a day. He doesn''''t cook, AT ALL, he readily admits. He eats lots of carbs and fats, basically anything we wants, a lot of junk food. He''''s not eating salad every day as a staple by a long-shot. I was nearly appalled by what he admitted his diet to be.

Posted by OneWorldUSA at 03:40 AM : Aug 18, 2008


yep, when your 6 foot something, early 20s and swim (or anything active) 8 hours a day, you can pretty much eat anything you want. I remember those days. I couldn''t gain weight if I tried, until my mid 20''s. Getting old sucks, and one day Micheal will find that out too. :)

[spoonerfineart]

Michael Phelps is just an amazing young man. He IS want the Olympics is all about. Take a young man who has worked all his life, with the support of his mother, to turn effort into Gold. It is his story that makes the dream of going to the Olympics such a journey for all young athletes. However when I see Professional Basketball players (and others) coming off the pro circuit to try to grab a little glory, I am saddened by their efforts. The Olympics are about the hidden efforts that come to light, not about bringing pros in just to win (i don''t care if other countries are doing it,we should be better than that). There are numerous college players who did not get to go the games because Pros bumped them off the list (what about their stories)? Remember the 1980 Dream Team on Ice. The Olympics are not about just winning, they are about the lives and struggles of those dedicated where few make it to the games.

Pros should refuse to go, stay home and watch the games like the rest of us. America, let the Spirit of the Games prevail, win or loose!

[usclimey]

Posted by talkingham

What a miserable SOB you are. There has not been one mention of anyone on the US swimming team doping in China. Niumerous of the swimmers there are on their 2nd, 3rd or with Dara Torres 5th Olympics without ever testing positive. I''m sure, even though he hasn''t mentioned it, Phelps was tested after everyone of his 17 races and he never tested positive. So what does a eejit like you have to come along and try to cloud a great story. Bravo Michael, both for being a great athlete and for being the antithesis of the "Ugly American."

[talkingham]

I do think the swimming pants which provide a greater surface area to his legs (much like having flippers!) made with a material that''s smoother and lighter than skin and muscle is an unfair advantage. Throw in the deeper pool and the wave reduction technology in the lanes and it''s another advantage. Records have to be broken or the media doesn''t have anything to crow about and can''t create the inflated heroes they love to create and then deflate.

It''s just a matter of time til we find out Phelps was on some drug or that he comes back and starts dating Britney or MaDonna or that he''s gay. America loves to make and break a hero. Lordry, I hope he doesn''t make the talk show rounds but he will and he can barely talk.

When you devote your whole life to breaking a set of records, have great skills and the best training program money can buy your odds of breaking such records increases greatly. Just like Tiger Woods, his whole purpose is to be the golfer that wins the most majors in history and having gotten such an early start with dedication he''s got a chance to do it.

[leftyintexas]

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Posted by terrorislamx at 09:06 AM : Aug 17, 2008

terrorislmx...I thought this was supposed to be about Michael Phelps winning 8 gold metals, but you being the dumb a$$ that you are, chose to air some more of your utterly STUPID POLITICIAL RANTS. Too bad....Congratulations Michael Phelps on your great achievements!!!.... terrorislamx you are an embarrassment to your family and to this country. Perhaps you could have learned something by watching Michael... but I seriously doubt it.

[oneworldusa]

Posted by louthesz9 at 12:36 AM : Aug 18, 2008

- I respectfully disagree. Although certain technology and training might be better than they were years ago, all the athletes have a level playing field, especially where there is no subjective or judging component. Just as Mark Spitz competed well within the environment provided, Michael Phelps has done the same.

[oneworldusa]

Posted by SamTheTVCat at 11:39 PM : Aug 17, 2008

- I just saw a documentary on Michael Phelps. He consumes 10,000 calories a day. He doesn''t cook, AT ALL, he readily admits. He eats lots of carbs and fats, basically anything we wants, a lot of junk food. He''s not eating salad every day as a staple by a long-shot. I was nearly appalled by what he admitted his diet to be.

[louthesz9]

He may have won more medals now than Spitz had, but that doesn''t make Phelps the greatest athlete or even the greatest swimmer of all time. With advances in technology and swimwear, it''s easy to win more medals now in swimming than, say track and field and the long jump. Track and field takes a toll on your body more than does swimming. In fact, I can name an athlete who should be ranked higher than Phelps. It''s Jesse Owens, who competed in Germany at the height of the Nazi era, and Hitler himself was present. Under those circumstances, any black athlete would have been overwhelmed and settled for a bronze. Not Jesse Owens, NA-A.

[samthetvcat]

I wonder how disciplined these athletes have to be about their diets . . . when do you think was the last time any of them ate at McDonald''s? :)

[samthetvcat]

---"I just keep hoping the other shoe doesn''''t drop. Did any of the American men''''s swimming team dope this competition? If so, this hard-won victory - **which *no one* has accomplished before** - will be down the tubes. Praying no cheaters will be exposed. Phelps shouldn''''t have his amazing achievement ripped away because of stupidity."---
Posted by deepperppl

The only swimmer who looked oddly beefy out of any of the swimmers of any country to me was Dara Torres . . . she looks the way Marion Jones did when she won all those medals.

I think it''s a good sign that they can point to so many physical attributes of Phelps like his big hands and feet, wide wingspan, flat torso. Technically, he''s also supposed to be exceptional, like with the way he chose to take that half-stroke while the Croatian guy glided in the butterfly final. And mentally he''s never buckled under the pressure the way the Australians and the French champions have. He''s prepared before with broken goggles, and he sets goals for every game . . . awesome!

I love those athlete profiles and the interviews they do with the athletes because so much of their preparation is mental, dealing with pressure and stuff . . . it''s fascinating. I feel so bad for those little gymnasts though because they''re still so young and everybody puts so much pressure on them and the judging seems kind of political - boo!

[toolmangler-2009]

I cudda been a cotendah. (sniff)

[thgdriver]

I don''t trust the Chinese judges, I am sure they are biased.

[thgdriver]

Where is eramus6? He/she is always sticking it''s nose in our politics/business. Hiding out I guess because Her/his country of Canada is doing so poorly. LOL.

This is better then a raise in pay.

[fjinnw]

China Gold medals 35

United States Gold medals 19

England Gold medals 11

Germany Gold medals 9

[chiyo9753]

Phelps you rock ! I really admire your determination.

[chiyo9753]

Phelps you rock ! I really admire your determination.

[chiyo9753]

Phelps you rock ! I really admire your determination.

[antepamfe200]

Congratulations to Phelps on his olympic performance. I am very happy for him, but could we please hear about someone else for a change?

[deepperppl]

I just keep hoping the other shoe doesn''t drop. Did any of the American men''s swimming team dope this competition? If so, this hard-won victory - **which *no one* has accomplished before** - will be down the tubes. Praying no cheaters will be exposed. Phelps shouldn''t have his amazing achievement ripped away because of stupidity.