Historic quest begins for Phelps

Michael Phelps stopped by to check out the Olympic pool, and suddenly it all began to sink in. Flags from countries far and near flapped in the breeze. The azure-tinted water seemed to glisten even more brightly than usual. This is not just any swim meet.

Michael Phelps stopped by to check out the Olympic pool, and suddenly it all began to sink in.

HT Image

Flags from countries far and near flapped in the breeze. The azure-tinted water seemed to glisten even more brightly than usual. This is not just any swim meet.

"I sensed this sort of vibe, even when we were just driving up," Phelps said on Wednesday. "Once I got in the pool, I felt even better."

This is the place where history could be made, beginning on Saturday.

In the space of a week, Phelps hopes to swim eight events. If everything goes according to plan, he'll take down one of sport's most revered records — the seven golds won by Mark Spitz in 1972.

"I wouldn't say that anything is impossible," said the 19-year-old Phelps. "The past few years, I wanted to keep my mind open."

At his only previous games, four years ago in Sydney, Phelps was a gangly high school kid who finished fifth in his only event. For that reason, he keeps telling everyone that his golden goal is to ensure one victory — not seven.

"I came back from Sydney with nothing," Phelps said. "All along, I've been saying one gold medal. I would not be disappointed with one. I don't want to think about the rest."

Still, Phelps will be an overwhelming favorite in three individual events and a medal contender in his other two. Then there are the relays — long an American strength and a chance for Phelps to win three more medals.

One gold medal won't be enough. Not even close. Phelps' teammates, publicly at least, haven't complained about all the attention, endorsements and money being showered on Phelps.

"People keep asking questions about him," Tom Malchow said. "There's a lot of interest in him and a lot of interest in our sport. That's OK. He's a great story, and that's helping get our sport out there."

Malchow was Phelps' first victim, so to speak. Four years ago, Malchow set a world record and won Olympic gold in the 200-meter butterfly. Six months after Sydney, Phelps took away the world record — and he hasn't looked back.

Going into Athens, he's considered a lock for gold, while Malchow would gladly settle for a medal colored silver or bronze.

"It's a little tough to watch when someone takes away your record," Malchow said, "but Michael is a great guy. ... Some people might say he's taking away from the team and stealing the limelight. But that's not his doing. When we're back on the bus, he's still just one of the guys."

Phelps and the rest of the US swimmers will skip Friday's opening ceremony. He doesn't want to waste energy marching into the stadium when he's got the grueling 400 individual medley the next day.

It could be the start of a long week. But he's ready to go. "I've never felt this good going into a meet," Phelps said.