I now consider Michael Phelps not only the greatest olympian of all time, but tied with two other men for the greatest athlete of all-time. The only two men that can be placed in the same category are two athletes, Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong, who are also "alone" in their field (ok I know Phelps did win 3 of his golds in team events but he is still alone in the pool). What do all three of these men have in common...they are all winners! Now I do believe what Phelps achieved is the hardest of these mens accomplishments, but Woods and Armstrong won championships while fighting through problems (Woods and his knee at the US Open and Armstrongs fight through cancer). To me it seems the biggest problem Phelps has faced so far is water-filled goggles!
Congrats to Phelps but it is sad for me to think that my favorite 3 events, Swimming, Beach Volleyball, and Girls Gymnastics, are all coming to an end and it will be a long 4 years until London and even longer until we see a performance like we saw this week!