• Became the first American to win eight medals in one Olympiad with six gold and two bronze in 2004
• Joined Olympic icon Mark Spitz in 2004 as the only swimmers to win four individual events in one Games (100m, 200m fly; 200m, 400m IM)
• In 2004, became the first swimmer in history to qualify for the Olympic Games in six individual events
• Became the first swimmer to set five world records at one meet at the 2003 World Championships; winning four golds and two silvers.
• In 2000, became the youngest American male swimmer (15) to compete in Olympic Games since 1932; finished fifth in the 200m butterfly.

• Won five medals at the 2005 World Championships: four gold medals (200m freestyle, 200m IM, 400m and 800m freestyle relay), one silver (100m butterfly)
• First man in history to win titles in three different strokes at one national championship in 2003; also the first man to win five titles in one Nationals ... twice
• Current world-record holder in the 200m fly, 200m IM, and 400m IM; at the 2001 Spring Nationals, became the youngest man to break a world record (15 years, nine months)
• Won the prestigious 2003 Sullivan Award as the top U.S. amateur athlete.
• Graduated from Towson (Md.) High School in May, 2003; will attend the University of Michigan in the fall of 2004
• Started swimming at age seven, following his two older sisters, including Whitney, a member of the 1994 World Championship team
• His mother, Debbie, is a schoolteacher, and his father, Fred, is a Maryland state trooper.
• He enjoys lacrosse, soccer, and baseball (played those sports until age 12)
• His coach, Bob Bowman, was honored as the 2001 USA Swimming Coach of the Year
• Favorite foods are lasagna, pretzels, cheeseburger subs, and waffle cones filled with French vanilla ice cream and Butterfinger bits
• Listens to rap music before races - "I ALWAYS listen to DMX. The song is called "Party up" - he listened to it before making the Olympic Team and breaking his first world record
• Enjoys MTV Cribs, Austin Powers and XBox video games

Related Links

Photos: Post-Olympics: Ballgames, award shows and more
Feature: USOC honors 2004's top athletes
Q&A: Michael Phelps on college and swimming
Q&A: Michael Phelps on records, Austin Powers and MTV Cribs
Q&A: Swimmer Michael Phelps answers his fans' questions
Tips: Michael Phelps on shaving your back, behind your knees
Photos: Gallery 1, Gallery 2
Video: Phelps on raising the profile of swimming hi | lo
Official Web site: Michael Phelps

Height: 6' 4 Born: 6/30/1985 Hometown: Towson, Md. Resides: Baltimore, Md. Sport: Swimming Event: 100/200 butterfly, 200/400 ind. med, 200 freestyle