Michael Phelps On Making Olympic History

Swimming Superstar Gives His First Extensive Post-Olympics Interview

(CBS)  Since he was in good spirits, and relatively out of shape, 60 Minutes decided to see how the world's greatest swimmer would do against a middle-aged mortal - Anderson Cooper - but there were conditions.

"How 'bout if I get to dive and I do freestyle, one lap. You go underwater the whole way. You can't breathe and you can't take a stroke," Cooper requested.

"Let's go, let's do it," Phelps agreed.

"What does it feel like to race Michael Phelps? I couldn't tell you. He moved by me so quickly I never even saw him," Cooper said after the race. "All right, so I got beat by Michael Phelps, not too bad."

Phelps is not one to brag about his victories. He showed 60 Minutes his eight gold medals, but only because we asked.

He keeps them in a safe place, but has never brought them out just to admire them. This was only the second time he had seen them together. The enormity of his achievement still hasn't completely sunk in.

"I mean it's amazing to see them all at once. It’s even more remarkable when you think you have six others," Cooper remarked.

"I was just thinking about that," Phelps said. "I was just thinking about what six more would look like on the table."

"And maybe even more than that some day," Cooper said.

"We'll see," Phelps replied, laughing. "I hope. We'll see."

[kukini]

Did I see Michael and Anderson in the SUV without seat belts on? If so, shame on the both of you!!

[hughjastic]

And then I make my own stupid typo. Heh.

its

[hughjastic]

Anderson,
Fun piece. Well done.

Minor points:

1. "an historic"? Really?
2. enormity. It's become ok for people to mistake this word for meaning what it sounds like, but it's original meaning is quite horrible.

Keep up the good work.

an hysterical fan,
hj

[avigil2]

To swimgirl9: please learn how to use the mouse by clicking on "Publish" just once.

[stevenst3]

Shame on you 60 minutes for failing to mention that Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals only because of his team mates, specifically Mr. Jason Lezak. If not for Jason''s blistering anchor leg in the 400 medley relay and the 400 freestyle relay, Mr. Phelps would have gone home with 6 medals and we would be spared such one-sided stories like this one. Sadly, neither Mr. Phelps nor the interviewer displayed the maturity or grace to even recognize or compliment Mr. Phelps team mates. It should be noted that Mr. Lezak (and others) likely worked just as hard as Mr. Phelps to prepare for the 2008 olympics (i.e., for their whole lives). Furthermore, at age 32, it may have even been a bit more difficult for Mr. Lezak to prepare; did he have numerous sponsors keeping him afloat or did he have to go to a day job? Unfortunately, the corporate world let Mr. Lezak and the other accomplished swim team members of the 2008 games fade into obscurity even though Mr. Lezak and a few others now hold gold medals; Mr. Lezaks were earned from arguably two of the most exciting races in the water cube. That said, those of us at Mr. Lezak''s alma mater (UC Santa Barbara), and most certainly his college coach Gregg Wilson, are really proud, and we wish him all the success he earned.

[swrf35]

Oh Anderson, Don''t call yourself middle-aged. And that race wasn''t fair - you didn''t even have goggles on. I''d ask for a re-match!
Given other Phelps'' interviews I''ve seen - this was excellent - no offense to anyone, but direct questions soliciting Phelps'' limited responses are probably the best for an interview. Well done Anderson.

[librablue-2009]

I thought Anderson did a great job with this interview of Phelps. He put a lot into a few minutes. It was interesting to hear how Michael feels about his success a few months after the Olympics.

Without being intrusive, Anderson gave us a little peek into Michael''s personal life by introducing us to Michael''s mother and his dog Herman, he even showed us Michael''s new apartment. We also got some insight into Michael''s training regiment and eating habits as well as his financial future.

I thought it was very professional of Michael to admit how he won the race for his seventh gold medal against Cavic. No matter what, it doesn''t diminish his hard won victory.

To top it off, Anderson even "exposed" himself just for fun in the "uneven race." What more could anyone want?

[p_a_rice]

Mr. Cooper,
Please consult your dictionary before you use the word "enormity" [as in "The enormity of his achievement still hasn''t completely sunk in."]. I don''t believe you intend to say that Mr. Phelps'' achievement was notable for being outrageously wicked.
Let''s keep the usage of this word distinct from "enormous."

[p_a_rice]

Mr. Cooper,
Please consult your dictionary before you use the word "enormity" [as in "The enormity of his achievement still hasn''t completely sunk in."]. I don''t believe you intend to say that Mr. Phelps'' achievement was notable for being outrageously wicked. Let''s keep the usage of this word distinct from "enormous."

[p_a_rice]

Mr. Cooper,
Please consult your dictionary before you use the word "enormity" [as in "The enormity of his achievement still hasn''t completely sunk in."]. I don''t believe you intend to say that Mr. Phelps'' achievement was notable for being outrageously wicked. Let''s keep the usage of this word distinct from "enormous."

[dhill401]

I was surprised to find at the beginning and end of this interview you encouraged Michael Phelps to compete against you while holding his breath. I realize he is conditioned and well coached. However kids and adults viewing this interview may feel this is an acceptable technique to swim better. As a Red Cross Lifeguard and Water Safety instructor, I encourage CBS to fill the blanks. "I saw Michael Phelps do it." Swimming pools across the country need to help protect swimmers and allowing hypoxia drills can lead to what happened in the following article.

Swimmer discovers dangers of water blackout
By Laura Elder
The Daily News
Lifesaving Resources Inc. - www.lifesaving.com - 603/563-8330
Published November 23, 2003
GALVESTON %u2014 When Ball High swim team member Stephanie Scofelia was floating face down in the school%u2019s pool during practice, her teammates thought it was a joke.
Scofelia, 15, was just finishing a 50-meter swim under water the evening of Nov. 12, when her teammates saw her floating near the wall of the pool, her arms and legs hanging limply. %u201CI swam to her and flipped her over,%u201D said teammate and friend Anna Hyatt %u201CThat%u2019s when I knew there was a problem.%u201D
Hyatt, 15, and teammate Marissa Streck, 16, pulled a blue and unconscious Scofelia out of the water and called for swim coach Hope Trevino.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.

[techai]

Mr. Cooper,
If you are going to interview someone you might as well know something about them. For example like knowing that Michael Phelps is known for his underwater kick, and actually you could not really have picked a better "stroke" for him to swim. If you would like to race him, your best chance would be to make him do breaststroke since that is his worst stroke.