Phelps 8 For 8

BEIJING – www.olympicgoldrecord.com - Olympic history has been made and fans holding signs reading “Phelps 8 for 8” were not disappointed. In what would seem to many an impossible feat became a reality on the 9th day of the Beijing Olympics when Michael Phelps went an unbelievable 8 for 8 with 8 gold medals in Men’s Swimming.

The final medal came in the Men’s 4x100 Medley Relay in which Phelps swam the butterfly leg of this highly anticipated race. Not only was Phelps and the rest of the American team able to capture gold but they also set a new world-record.

World records were nothing new to Phelps when he completed his 8 for 8 sweep in Beijing. In this year’s Olympic Games Phelps set 7 world records (see figure 1-1 below), recording a world record in all of his races except the 100 meter butterfly, where he only set the Olympic Gold Record. Ironically the same style and distance he swam in his final race as part of the relay team.

To view a detailed chart of each Gold medal and Phelp’s times, event, and date, visit - http://www.olympicgoldrecord.com/phelps-8-for-8/olympic-records/2008/08/28/

Although the American team was the heavy favorite, the pressure was on as not just fans but other Olympians gathered to watch history. Some speculated that the pressure might create a distraction to some swimmers but, Jason Lezak said quite the opposite. Remarked Lezak, “I looked up and I saw Kobe and LeBron, the best basketball players in the world, and I love basketball…I thought there’s no way I was going to let those guys down.”

The rest of Phelps’ teammates were not only excited to win gold but to be a part of his history. Teammate Brendan Hansen believes that Phelps’ 8 for 8 run was the greatest achievement in sports adding “Every single athlete in the world right now needs to tip their hat to Michael Phelps because what he did this week was amazing.”

As the gentleman that Michael Phelps is, he didn’t waste any time praising his fellow American teammates.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my teammates.” Phelps said. “For the three Olympics I’ve been a part of, this is by far the closest men’s team that we’ve ever had. I didn’t know everybody coming into this Olympics, but I feel going out I know every single person very well. The team that we had is the difference.”

There’s no doubt that for spectators Michael Phelps’ 8 for 8 run will go down as one of the most impressive displays of athleticism we’ve ever seen. As for Phelps, he put it best saying that the 2008 Beijing Olympics was “The best week of my life.” Indeed, August 17th, 2008 marks the day Phelps became, possibly for his lifetime, the single record holder for most Gold Medals in an Olympics.
http://www.olympicgoldrecord.com/phelps-8-for-8/olympic-records/2008/08/28/

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Rex Freiberger

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Olympic Gold Record

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