Michael Phelps Goes in the History Books with 8 Gold Medals
Michael Phelps claimed his record 8th gold medal of the Beijing Olympics as he was part of the winning American 4x100m medley relay. A journey that started four years ago after his six-gold performance in Athens and included 17 swims over nine days here ended triumphantly for Michael Phelps on Sunday. Phelps earned his unprecedented eighth Olympic gold medal of the 2008 Olympics as he swam the butterfly leg of the Americans' world-record win in the 4x100m medley relay to close out the swimming competition at the Water Club. Australia provided stiff competition, but were unable to run down the American squad.
Aaron Peirsol led off in the backstroke leg, Brendan Hansen swam the breast and Jason Lezak anchored in the free, the same three who won gold in Athens. Phelps swam the prelims of that race in Athens, giving up his finals spot to Ian Crocker.
Phelps tied Mark Spitz with his seventh gold medal a day earlier in the 100m butterfly, winning by the slimmest of margins, .01 of a second over Milorad Cavic. His quest was almost derailed in Day 2 of the meet in the 4x100m free relay, but Lezak's unbelievable anchor leg kept the quest alive.
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