Not surprisingly, Michael Phelps has been awarded his first gold medal, in the 400m individual medley--and he set a new world record in the process:
The 19-year-old Phelps, who holds the world record in the 400m IM along with two other events, led the whole race and spent the final 350m below world-record pace.American Erik Vendt took the silver, chasing down Hungary's Laszlo Cseh in the final 50m to finish in 4:11.81.
"I'm perfectly happy right now," Phelps said after stepping up to an Olympic podium for the first time. "I said I wanted one.
I have my one now. Now I just have to stay focused and go out and swim my races."
There's a very real, intangible sense of pride that I felt when Phelps hit the wall and realized that he'd not only won his first medal, but also broken another world record. At the rate he's going, the rest of this week in Athens is undoubtedly going to be amazing.
The next question: Will the gold that Phelps will undoubtedly continue to accrue this week impact his attitude at all? His Australian counterpart, Ian Thorpe, has a very strange cocky attitude about him--probably having something to do with his "idol" status in that country. My sense is that, regardless of how famous Phelps becomes, he probably won't seem quite as arrogant as Thorpe (even if Thorpe--the "Thorpedo"--has earned his own bragging rights after all this time).
This may be, in part, due to the fact that Phelps has had the same swim coach since age 11. His mother, as well, seems to be a very strong presence in his life, considering that he had to plead with her to let him buy a "tricked out" Cadillac Escalade (including those silly spinning rims). Since he's only 19 and still lives at home, chances are good that he'll remain headed in a positive direction.
There's also an undeniable cultural difference between Australia and the United States that also helps explain the differences between Thorpe and Phelps. Here in the US, while it's true that athletes can have their moment in the spotlight, it's sports like basketball and football that remain dominant. This is unfortunate, as it almost entirely overshadows star athletes in other sports.
Whatever the final medal count from this Olympiad, this is only Phelps' second visit (his first was when he was 15)--future games will almost certainly prove to be just as exciting. The biggest tragedy that I can foresee in Phelps' future? At some point, he's not going to be able to break his own records anymore!
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - jack e. jett
michael phelps is amazing.
i am willing to pay up to $25.00 to have him come and swim in my pool.
can someone get this offer to him?
jack e. jett
2 - Priyanka
Michael Phelps is an amazing swimmer. he is such a dedicated and driven person. I admire him alot. I am willing to pay $50-$100 to have him swim in my pool. Michael, email me!! LOL
3 - Johanna D'Elia
O my Lordy!!Michael Phelps is Sooo hott!!
All I have to say is he is my Olympic Hottie!!I stayed up all nite juss to see him swim and win another gold!!!
~Luv ya michael!~
~Johanna~
4 - Ryan
I will trump both offers! I'll pay $100 for Michael to come swim--but I don't even have a pool, so it'll have to be in the tub.
5 - kristy
Oh my gosh Michael Phelps is like the hottest swimmer ever. I love him soo much and i hope he does really well in everything!And he is one of the reasons why i watch the olympics and i can't wait until they show him.
6 - janarra
MICHAEL PHELPS IS HOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF HE'S GOT A GIRLFRIEND? AND DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT HIS E-MAIL ADDRESS IS! SOMEBODY PLEEZ SEND IT TO ME IF THEY KNOW! I WONDER WHAT KINDA GIRL HE LIKES? OH WELL! HE WILL BE 4-EVER HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-WILL ALWAYZ BE YOUR #1 FAN PHELPS!!!!-
-JANARRA-
7 - Renee
OH MY GOD!!MICHAEL IS SOOOO HOTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!! HE IS THE HOTTEST GUY I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!! I would LOVE to meet him!! He is soo awesome and I hope he does well in everything! GO FOR THE GOLD!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! much LOVE!!!Muah!
8 - Eric Olsen
he is so hot, you skewed the page
9 - felps_hatur
Michael Felps is SOOO retarded!! If he were to swim in your pool he would be a liability....Seriously, he looks like he has down syndrome. He's a cross between Rainman and the Hulk. I'll pay you $25 to stop posting such ridiculous requests. He is not going to come to your backyard and swim in your pool...
10 - boomcrashbaby
I wonder how much it would cost to have him clean the pool.
11 - helene verrochi
Michael phelps is one of the sexiest guys in the world!!!!!! I've never seen a nicer body than his. Anyone know how too contact him??? please email it to me!!! THANKS!!!!
I love u michael phelps!! <3!!
love always....~*helene*~
12 - sAM
OMG!!!! MICHAEL PHELPS IS SO HOTT!!!! HE IS MY ROEL MODEL!!! I LUV HIM SO MUCH!!! DOES ANYONE KNOE HIS #?? OR EVEN ADDRESS?? I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO MEET HIM!!!! I LUV HIM!!! HES ALL OVER MY WALLS!!!I LUV U PHELPS!!!!! LOVE ALWAYS AND FOREVER ~SAM~
13 - Angel
Michael Phelps is my Hero and he is sooooooooooooooooooooooo HOTTTTTTTTT !!!!!!!!!! HE IS SOOOOOO FINE HE MAKES MY MOUTH DROP AND HE IS ALL MINE !!!!!!!!!!
14 - Angel
Michael if you see this e-mail me becuz I AM UR ULTIMATE #1 FAN OF ALL TIME and I would pay you all I had for you to come over and swim with me in my pool
*~ANGEL~*
15 - Leah
Wow that is funny I think half the population of the world is in love with michael phelps. You would think you people are busy with school and reality. I am sure Michael has better things to do then swim in your pool! He is an amazing and very busy swimmer!
16 - elni
OMG I LOVE PHELPS!!!! ahhhh his body is so perfect and he looks SO HOT in his low-rise bathingsuit!!! HE IS MY HERO and i watch all of his races!!! HOW CAN I MEET HIM? does he have a girlfriend?
17 - Jenny879
Oh my goodness! I met Michael and he is the nicest guy ever! Not only is he really hot but what i love most about him is that he will try his best to fulfill everyones wishes! He's so sweet and compassionate! I'm also extreamly proud of all the gold he's won so far in the olympics! I love you michael and i wish you the best of luck in all you do!
much love,
Jenny
18 - Eric Olsen
he seems extremely good-natured and level-headed - I'm am so glad to see him do this well after his (relatively) slow start and all the stupid questions about disappointment
19 - Janna
MICHAEL YOU ARE SOO HOTT! I really want his email address or something so if anyone knows it, email me!! Especially if anyone has met him! He is such a great swimmer too and makes me want to go jump in a pool and swim some laps! I want to meet him too! Anyone know how? EMAIL ME!
~Luv Ya~ Janna
20 - Chau
Michael Phelps is very good looking and I read somewhere that he doesn't have a girlfriend! But does anyone know whether he actually reads this or not?
21 - Ryan
Chances are that he hasn't seen this, considering he's been somewhat busy with the Olympics this week. ;)
*** SPOILER ALERT ***
However, I am happy to report that Michael won his 5th gold medal today--making 7 total so far (5 gold & 2 bronze). Congrats to him!
22 - Hannan
Does Micheal know this web site even exsists? Plus i think it would cost a lot more than $25 dollars to sw3im in your pool. I'm from Dana Vollmers hometown and she has a chrush on him too. I have a chrush on Paul Hamm. Why i'm putting this all down i don't know.
23 - Eric Olsen
michael not only knows this site exists: he knows us all by name
24 - Olivia
Michael Phelps is hot!! I can't believe he doesn't have a gilfriend!
25 - Margarida
Oh please they smell a guy with money and imidiately he becomes this sex god! Get real girls, the guy is fugly and self conceited like most of North Americans! Great swimming body for such a retarded mind.