Phelps Ties For Most Olympic Golds Ever
August 12, 2008 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Sports Rumors
American swimmer, Michael Phelps, continues to take the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games by storm by breaking three world records as he earned three gold medals. He is now tied with Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis for the most decorated Olympians in history.
He won the 200m freestyle which, if you remember, was the race that he lost at the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics when, at just 19 years of age, he went up against Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband. This time, there was no doubt – Phelps dominated the race finishing nearly two seconds ahead of the rest with a time of 1 minute, 42.96 seconds (the old World Record was 1:43.86).
“I just wanted to be out at the 50-meter point, and that’s where I was,” said Phelps. “I was in open water, and it was difficult for the other guys to see me.”
I’m Canadian but I’m really rooting for him. I hope he goes eight for eight!
Another amazing race!
When Mark Spitz won 7 gold medals in the 1972 Munich Games, he (and the relay teams) set 7 gold world records. Phelps is on track to not only tie or surpass the 7 gold medals but also the 7 world records. It’s rare that you see someone as talented as Phelps come along.