Phelps bags fourth gold (Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever, Go USA)

The Press Association ^ | August 12 2008 | The Press Association

[jveritas]

Michael Phelps became the most successful Olympic athlete of all time by claiming his 10th gold medal in the 200 metres butterfly on Wednesday.

Phelps collected his fourth gold of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing to add to the six gold and two bronze medals secured in Athens four years ago......

[Revolting cat!]

Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever

No. Jesse Owens, Emil Zatopek, dozens of others!

[Azzurri]

We need Phelps to introduce John McCain at the Republican Convention. If he was old enough, I'd say make him the VP pick. :-)

[jveritas]

I have not watched the Beijing Olympics since the beginning but I tuned in two hours ago to watch Michael Phelps makes Olympics History and becomes the most winning Olympic Athlete in history. I am so glad that he made it :)

[Proud_USA_Republican]

USA!!! USA!!! USA!!!

[papasmurf]

I’m just waiting for the phony charges of doping.

[jveritas]

Yes :)

[jveritas]

It would not be surprise me at all that someone will bring up such a lie against Phelps.

[MNJohnnie]

Mark Spitz might disagree with you

[TNCMAXQ]

I have to wonder what party he is in, if any. He certainly has become an all American hero. I hope he’s on the right side. ;)

[magellan]

"No. Jesse Owens, Emil Zatopek, dozens of others!"

Only one can be the greatest.

With 10 golds (compared to Owens' and Zatopek's 4 golds each), Phelps has won more golds than anyone in the 112 year history of the modern Olympics.

If he wins four more medals, as his is goal, it will give Phelps a total of 16 Olympic medals, second only to the USSR's Larissa Latynina with 18.

[jveritas]

He may but the record is on Michael Phelps side :)

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Not going to happen. All swimmers are tested after the events.

[jveritas]

Michael Phelps just won his 11th Gold Medal :) It was part of team USA winning the Gold Medal for 4 x 200 m free style swimming and yes the USA team sets a new world record in this event.

Go USA :)

[max americana]

HE JUST WON HIS 5TH IN THE RELAY!!!

The only way to stop history right now is if someone pulls off a Tonya Harding.

[dfwgator]

No. Jesse Owens, Emil Zatopek, dozens of others!

You left out Eddie the Eagle.

[dfwgator]

If there were as many speed skating events as there are swimming events, Eric Heiden would have been way up there.

[jveritas]

The great news is that he already made History :) Carl Lewis and Mark Spitz are second behind Phelps at 9 Gold each.

[Lizavetta]

If he was old enough, I'd say make him the VP pick. :-)

You're joking, right? Tell me you require just a little bit more in your VP candidates than being able to win gold medals in swimming at the Olympics....

[Teacher317]

Greatest Olympic Athlete Ever

Phelps: 10 gold and 2 bronze over 1.5 Olympics, with 5-for-5 World records in the past 5 days. Likely to have at least 13 gold and 16 medals by the end of the month, with 2 more Olympics likely in his future. If he only goes to one more Olympics, and gets only 4 medals there, he'll end up with 20 medals, topping the old record of 18 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze) in 3 Olympics by Larissa Latynina.
Compare to:

Zapotek: 4 gold and one silver over 3 Olympics. 18 world records, but none in the Olympics.
Owens: 4 gold, and career over after one Olympics, tying one world record.

Do your "dozens of others" also share such weak resumes compared to Phelps?

I'm not big on calling contemporary athletes "the best ever", but Phelps resume is unparalleled, period.