Michael Phelps Sports Illustrated
Reader Alexandra Yu sent an e-mail saying she was sick of Michael Phelps dominating NBC’s Olympics television coverage. “There are other athletes,” she noted, and she is, of course, right. But one suspects Yu’s sentiments are shared by exactly no one at NBC. 3
U.S. swimmer and all-time Olympian Michael Phelps posed with his eight gold medals exclusively for the August 25, 2008 issue of Sports Illustrated . The photograph was inspired by fellow Olympic champion Mark Spitz, who showed off seven golds in 1972. 1
BEIJING — Michael Phelps — 14-time Olympic gold medalist and die-hard Baltimore Ravens fan — could have used Jonathan Ogden this morning. Or at least someone like Ogden, capable of throwing a block and giving him some personal space. 2
On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated will unveil its exclusive photo on newsstands across the country. On the cover, a grinning and bare-chested Phelps, 23, displays eight medals splayed across his chest in a nod to the man whose record he broke. 4
The tragedy calls into question Olympic Swimming safety precautions in Beijing. For instance, there have been over 30 Olympic swimming events scheduled for this year’s games, yet there hasn’t been a lifeguard on duty for a single one of them. 6
Mark Spitz , who’s already made the rounds on NBC News, will be a guest on CBS’ The Early Show tomorrow morning. In a few hours, Michael Phelps will swim for a chance to tie Spitz’ record of seven gold medals. Spitz set that record at the 1972 Munich games. Then Phelps swims his final race Sunday morning (Beijing time) with a chance to break the Spitz record. 7
Ever wondered what eight gold medals look like? Well, Michael Phelps wants to show you anyway, posing on the cover of Sports Illustrated with his winnings hanging around his neck. 5
Reader Alexandra Yu sent an e-mail saying she was sick of Michael Phelps dominating NBC’s Olympics television coverage. “There are other athletes,” she noted, and she is, of course, right. But one suspects Yu’s sentiments are shared by exactly no one at NBC. 3
