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Aug 19, 2008 7:13 pm US/Central
Michael Phelps Discusses Making Olympics History
BALTIMORE (CBS) ―
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Michael Phelps spoke with CBS station WJZ-TV in Baltimore Aug. 19, 2008.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Phelps took down the grandest of Olympic records Sunday in the final event at the the Water Cube in Biejing, helping the Americans rally for a world-record win in the 400-meter medley relay. That victory, one more than Mark Spitz managed at the 1972 Munich Games, assured him a place in sports history.
In his pursuit of Spitz, which actually began four years ago with six gold medals in Athens, Phelps became the winningest Olympian ever with 14 victories, five more than any other athlete.
Phelps spoke with his hometown CBS station WJZ-TV in Baltimore Tuesday via satellite about his future career plans and how he plans to unwind after his streak at the Beijing Games.
He's accomplished something that no athlete has done before. So what's next for Phelps?
"Just not really do anything, just sit around and catch up on some sleep," Phelps told WJZ.
He's not exactly going to be a couch potato. The 23-year-old Olympian is getting swamped with appearance and endorsement offers, and that's only going to pick up once Phelps is back home.
"I've been getting text messages and reading the newspaper and seeing and hearing all of the support back in the U.S., and I'm just excited to get home," said Phelps.
Phelps said he's also looking forward to getting situated in his new Baltimore home, and catching up on the local football team. "One of the biggest things I'm looking forward to is catching a Ravens game," Phelps said.
Sure he's a huge Ravens fan, but another team is nearest and dearest to Phelps' heart these days -- his Olympic swim team.
"Without my teammates, none of this would have been possible. I have some pretty amazing teammates. We made history," he said.
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