Phelps wins 3rd gold, joins elite club record for the most gold medals over an Olympic career
The man has only one mission this Olympics bringing home a record-setting eight golds, Michael Phelps has already won three gold medals in Beijing, setting world records in all three events.
Phelps won 3rd gold, to join the elite club of Spitz, Carl Lewis, Paavo Nurmi and Larysa Latynina, each with nine share the record for the most gold medals over an Olympic career.
Thousands of spectators and journalists stood on their feet for minutes and applauded in every language one of the greatest moments in the history of swimming, as they held their heads in disbelief. Some commentators even went as far as saying it was the greatest sporting event of all time. Many of the journalists said it was the biggest Olympic moment since runner Michael Johnson’s record at Atlanta, no less
Phelps already holds world records in several events. He won eight medals (six gold, two bronze) at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, which tied the record for most medals at one Olympics, a record set by Alexander Dityatin in 1980. Phelps’ international titles, along with his various world records, have resulted in him being named World Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and American Swimmer of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007
Phelps who qualified to compete in eight swimming events at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, is all set to beat Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals at one Olympics, and the lifetime record of nine Olympic golds
Phelps has taken the event and made it his own, snatching away Ian Thorpe’s world record during last year’s world championships.
He certainly wasn’t holding anything back in the 400 free relay, swimming the leadoff leg in an American-record time. But if he does go on to win eight golds and collect a promised $1 million bonus from one of his sponsors, he might want to give some of it to Lezak (an amateur until the age of 20 who had played water polo and baseball).
The oldest man on the U.S. swim team came through with the race of the lifetime just when his team needed it most. Lezak appeared destined for second as they made the last flip, needing to make up half a body length, and even with 25 meters to go all seemed lost, including Phelps’ shot at break Mark Spitz’s record of seven golds in 1972.
Spitz won seven gold medals at the Munich Games in 1972—in the 100m and 200m freestyle, 100m and 200m butterfly, 4×100m freestyle, 4×200m freestyle and 4×100m medley.
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