450_s8500086938_beijing_olympics_2008.jpg

Image #1643985

Aug 17, 2008 - Beijing, China - OLYMPICS 2008 - PHELPS celebrates after winning with his team: AARON PIERSOL, BRENDAN HANSEN, and JASON LEZAK. USA's swimming machine MICHAEL FRED PHELPS (23) born Baltimore, Maryland, Jun 30, 1985, made magic today. Leading his team once again in the Men's 400m Medley Relay, with a come from behind victory and landing his record setting eight gold medal of the 29th Olympics. Magical in China, mythical to us all, the number eight makes Phelps the greatest single-Olympics athlete in history, breaking the record of seven gold medals held for 36 years by another fabled American swimmer Mark Spitz. Eight golds, seven world records, 17 races over nine days, one of the greatest feats by any athlete ever. Add that to his six gold medals and two bronzes in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Phelps grand total of 16, till London 2012, leaves him second to Russian gymnast Latyina who has won a total of 18 (nine gold) spanning three Olympic Games

Photographer: Sunshine/zuma/ICON SMI

File Size: 1.35 MB @ 300dpi

Image Size: 4000 x 2667

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