Reuter
Michael Phelps went on Sunday where no man has ever been before to win a record at one Olympics and better Mark Spitz’s landmark 1972 feat.
Phelps held his arms aloof and hugged team mates after a relatively easy men’s 4×100 meters medley relay win unlike the finger tip finishes in two of his earlier Beijing golds.
The all-time most successful Olympian, who has over nine days in China proved himself to be one of the greatest sportsmen the world has seen, showed he was still human, though.
“I just want to see my Mom,” he said after a series of swims which will net him $1 million in sponsors’ bonuses alone.
Phelps’ 14th career gold, after 6 in Athens, took him past fellow American Spitz’s record seven at one Games in Munich. He has 5 more than any other Olympian in the 112-year history of the Games.
“It’s been nothing but an upwards rollercoaster but it’s been nothing but fun,” he added at his moment of triumph, embracing his tearful mother and sister. “With so many people saying it could not be done, all it takes is imagination.”
Phelps achievement has dazzled the Chinese hosts, for whom eight is a lucky number, and brought welcome cheer to Americans during hard times.
