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Phelps's 0.01-Second Win Gives Him 7th Gold Medal
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 16, 2008
Modified Aug 16, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 16, 2008
Modified Aug 16, 2008
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Wow. Michael Phelps won his seventh gold medal in these Beijing Olympics with a 0.01 of a second edge over Serbia's Milorad Cavic in the 100 meter butterfly, with a time of 50.58 (not a world record, but an Olympic record and a personal best). Phelps is now tied with Mark Spitz for having won the the most gold medals--seven--in one Olympics.
While Cavic appeared closer to the touchpad--gliding towards it--at the end of the race, Phelps decided to take another stroke and got to his touchpad first. Phelps said, "When I did chop the last stroke, I thought that had cost me the race. But it was actually the opposite. If I had glided, I would have been way too long. I took short, faster strokes to try to get my hand on the wall. I ended up making the right decision."
And Spitz, the 1972 Olympics legend, had these words about Phelps, "It goes to show you that not only is this guy the greatest swimmer of all time and the greatest Olympian of all time, he's maybe the greatest athlete of all time. He's the greatest racer who ever walked the planet." Phelps has also won golds--and set world records--with the 400m individual medley, the 4x100m freestyle relay, the 200m freestyle, the 200x butterfly, the 4x200m freestyle relay, and the 200m individual medley. Tonight, he will be part of the men's 4x100m medley relay, which will air on NBC at 10:58 p.m, and try for his 8th gold medal.
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2008 Beijing Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
beijing olympics
gold medal
michael phelps
swimming
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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