Harry Smith Star-Struck By Michael Phelps

(CBS)  This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.

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I got my fifteen minutes of fame with Michael Phelps today. Ok, I lied, it was really closer to seven minutes. But, I have to confess I was pretty psyched to interview the super-star of the Beijing games.

It was around eight o'clock in the evening local time for Phelps, and he looked like a guy who had been up for about three days straight. No kidding, he could barely keep his eyes open. I asked the usual reporter type questions. Which he did gamely answer, but he brightened perceptibly when I said, "And now we have some questions from some young members of the Wolverine Swim Club back in Ann Arbor, Mich., where you've been training for several years."

The kids asked better questions, of course, including "How do you keep from getting psyched out by tough competitors?" Answer: By listening to his iPod, and concentrating on what he has to do. And "What did you have to sacrifice as a teenager in order to do what you've done?"

Answer: Stay in on Friday nights, and yes, it was worth it.

[march272]

The interview with Michael Phelps was great but the summary in your blog isn''t accurate. Phelps did not bring up his Ipod and certainly did not say that this was how he was able to tune out distractions before a swim. Instead, Phelps basically said that he kept his mind on what he needed to do and that kept him focused. The only reference to the Ipod came from the interviewer in a weak attempt to raise an overly familiar tone with the athlete. By asking casually what Michael listens to on his Ipod, Harry Smith tried to seem like a pal and was annoying and sidetracking the interview. I tuned in to hear Michael Phelps and the interview was excellent, except for the overly familiar tone and the lame questions from the CBS interviewer Harry Smith.

The time could have been much better spent if someone with more sensitivity had prepared careful questions. Many Americans want to learn about Michael Phelps and don''t have time to listen to attempts to "befriend" or "bond" by the Harry Smiths of the world.