The Olympics are primarily a team event, however an incredible individual story pops up every now and then. Michael Phelps has perhaps the best individual story from this year’s event. He has a chance to win 8 gold medals at the China games, and so far no one seems to be able to stop him.
He’s looking to go one better than Mark Spitz’s record of seven golds at the Munich games in 1972. Michael Phelps already joined Spitz on a different record, having won 9 gold medals in his Olympic career overall and will likely surpass it. with 5 events remaining. In fact, by the time you read this, you may already have 10 gold medals in your possession from all your Olympic appearances.
However, more people seem to be interested in the other record, can Michael Phelps win 8 gold medals in just one Olympic game? It would be a truly remarkable endeavor if it did, one that is sure to go down in history. Phelps celebrated his latest win in the 200m freestyle with another world record, in fact all 3 gold medals so far have been in world record time. Mark Spitz set his record of 7 gold medals with 7 world records as well, and it is possible that Phelps could do the same.
Many people, including Mark Spitz himself, have been amazed at Phelps’ courage to enter these games with such a load on his shoulders, even competing in events where he did not have the best times and did not dominate in the last Olympics. The 200-meter freestyle was such an event, with Phelps only in third place in recent Olympics and now setting a new world record in that event.
I think everyone, American or not, really wants me to break this 8 Olympic gold record and set the sports world on fire. The Olympics may be a team event, but it is a really special experience to see a person at the peak of their career who is so dominant and performs so well.