U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps broke the Olympics’ most hallowed record Sunday by winning an unprecedented eight gold medals in a single Games. The previous best was by U.S. swimmer Marc Spitz’s in 1972 when he won 7 gold medals. It took 36 years to beat the record and Phelps tied it when he took part in the butterfly leg of 4X 100 meters medley relay for the US team.
Phelps in honor of Mark Spitz said that his achievements were amazing, and added that he has waited for this for a long time and he wanted to be the first Michael Philip and not a second Mark Spitz. It took him 17 swims and over 9 days to do just that.

• Fact 1: He participated in 8 events, winning 8 gold, breaking 7 world records, and 3 his own. He won the 400-meter individual medley; the 200-meter freestyle; the 200-meter butterfly; the 4X200-meter freestyle relay; the 200-meter individual medley and the 100-meter butterfly.Its one of the most relished moments of his life. A great feat achieved.Now with a total gold count of 14, he is one of the greatest Olympians of all times.

• Fact 2: Only Larissa Latynina , a gymnast from former Soviet Union can better him holding a record of most Olympics Medals : 18 (9 of them Gold , won in 56′ , 60 and 64′ Games). Having said that Phelps in only 23 and likely yet not at his peak.

• Fact 3: At only 15 years and 9 months, he broke the world record for 200 Meters butterfly – youngest male to set a swimming world record.

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