Michael Phelps: 3 for 3 Gold Medals at Beijing Olympics and 3 World Records … I Wanna be Like Mike

I wanna be like Mike … Anyone think that Gatorade may be dusting off the old Michael Jordon marketing campaign and apply it to Michael Phelps? If the execs at Gatorade have not thought of it, maybe they should. Comparably,  Michael Phelps may actually be a more dominating and greater swimmer than Jordan was to the NBA and basketball.

American swimming sensation Michael Phelps has done it again and is now 3 for 3 in Gold medals and world records. His latest conquest in Beijing was the 200 meter free style where Phelps overwhelmed the rest of the field and set a new world record at 1:42.96 seconds. With Michael Phelps 9th gold medal overall, he also becomes tied for the most ever gold medals in Olympic history. Not bad for a 23 year old lad with 5 races to go in Beijing and who has stated he wants to participate in the 2012 Olympics.

Phelps is now 3-for-3 in Beijing, and is on course to beat Spitz’s 36-year-old record of seven golds in a single Olympics.

Phelps’s ninth career gold tied him with Spitz, Lewis, Soviet gymnast Larysa Latynina and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi for the most in Olympic history.  “To be tied for the most Olympic golds of all time, with those
names, in Olympic history …,” Phelps said, before pausing and letting out a slight chuckle.  “The Olympics have been around for so many years, that’s a pretty amazing accomplishment.”

Michael Phelps made it look so easy in the 200m free style. The race was over in the first 25 meters as Phelps crushed the field. Three races and three world records, it just does not get any better than that. When one considers that Phelps is participating in 8 events and all of the preliminary swims prior to the event finals against specialist swimmers who one swim in one even, his accomplishments are just that much more amazing. Imagine what Michael Phelps would do to these records if he only had to concentrate on one event and not pace himself for the long haul?