It's Phelps Fever! Michael Phelps is a bonafide celebrity! Phelps has been called a "Billion Dollar Man" for possible earnings ahead after winning 8 Gold Meals at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. But, the modest swimmer says it's not about the money. The marketing industry believes the 23-year-old American phenom will easily become the richest swimmer ever, far surpassing the former most decorated US swimmer, Mark Spitz. It sounds great but after speaking with Reuters on Monday when he finished his record eighth gold medal win, Phelps shrugged off the monetary impact of his success.
Michael Phelps became the first competitor in the history of the Olympics to win eight gold medals at a single Games as the United States won the men's 4x100m medley relay on Sunday.
Also, Phelps' 14 career Gold medals are the most of any Olympian.
And, at the age of 23, Phelps has set a record for the total number of medals won by a male Olympian, at 16. Only Ukrainian gymnast Larysa Latynina 18 career medals exceed Phelps' total. Latynina won 9 gold medals out of the 18.
Check out Phelps' press conference and video of his fans' reactions from Baltimore, MD, below:
