Well Michael Phelps did it. And it was spectacular. I think it is fair to say almost every thing has been said on this subject, but let me add a few things.

1) Phelps didn’t just win… he delivered. The pressure was out of this world. It had been building since Athens. He entered 8 contests… I had hoped for perhaps 5 or 6; 8 seemed unimaginable. But, he went out and won every time. Simply amazing.

2) To put his fame and accomplishments into perspective, Phelps has been on the cover of two of the last three Sports Illustrated and will be on the cover of three of four… by the way, 6 SI covers total. If it weren’t an election year he might very well be Time  Magazine’s Person of the Year.

He has literally been on the front page of every newspaper in America, including tabloids multiple times over the last week. Not front page sports section… front page front page. Above the fold. The New York Times‘ Sunday paper had a color photograph him on the first page of the first section, above the fold (New York edition.)

He might be the most recognizable athlete around the world these days… not bad for a 23 year old swimmer from Baltimore.

3) His medal accomplishments speak for themselves… no need to comment.

4) We love our own in Baltimore… We often adopt stars as if they were our own, such as   Brooks and Johnny U. but WE LOVE our own. And Phelps is OUR OWN. I would not have blamed the man if he took his fame and did the New York or L.A. thing, his agent and his accountant have probably suggested… But, he loves his home town… he is proud of his home town. It seemed all the way in China he was mentioning Baltimore in every other sentence.

Personally,  I could not be prouder of what Phelps accomplished. He is truly an international star… and he has demonstrated to the world a shining example of  America… and Bawlmore….

Posted on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008 at 10:08 am.
Categories: 1300 News.
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