On August 17, 2008, at the Beijing Summer Olympics, American swimmer Michael Phelps made history by winning his eighth gold medal, breaking the 36-year-old record of Mark Spitz, who had won seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
📌 Breakdown of Phelps’s 8 Gold Medals in Beijing 2008:
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400m Individual Medley (Aug 10) – Gold, World Record (4:03.84)
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4×100m Freestyle Relay (Aug 11) – Gold, World Record (3:08.24)
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200m Freestyle (Aug 12) – Gold, World Record (1:42.96)
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200m Butterfly (Aug 13) – Gold, World Record (1:52.03)
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4×200m Freestyle Relay (Aug 13) – Gold, World Record (6:58.56)
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200m Individual Medley (Aug 15) – Gold, World Record (1:54.23)
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100m Butterfly (Aug 16) – Gold, Olympic Record (50.58), won by just 0.01 seconds over Milorad Čavić of Serbia.
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4×100m Medley Relay (Aug 17) – Gold, World Record (3:29.34), sealing the record-breaking eighth medal.
🌟 Why It Was Historic
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Phelps not only won all 8 events but also set 7 World Records and 1 Olympic Record, an unparalleled feat.
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The 100m Butterfly victory is remembered as one of the most dramatic finishes in Olympic history, decided by the smallest measurable margin.
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His achievement was recognized as one of the greatest moments in Olympic history, solidifying his legacy as the “Greatest Olympian of All Time.”
🏅 Career Context
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Phelps ultimately retired with 28 Olympic medals (23 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), the most by any athlete in history.
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His dominance changed the global profile of swimming and inspired a generation of athletes.
