Michael Phelps Named Sportsman Of The Year

Michael Phelps as the 2008 Sportsman of the Year was the easiest choice I have made, said Sports Illustrated editor Terry McDonell.

Winner of eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games, US swimmer Michael Phelps was named the sportsman of the year by prominent Sports Illustrated sports magazine.

Thus, Phelps became the first swimmer in the 54-year history of this choice of the world`s best athlete.

- When I received the call from Sports Illustrated that I was going to be named Sportsman of the Year, I was speechless. Honestly, it is a huge honor to join the class of athletes who have won this award – Phelps said, who has broken the record of Mark Spitz when it comes to the number of won gold medals. Spitz won seven gold medals in Munich, in 1972, while Phelps won one more this year in Beijing. The young American won a total of 14 gold Olympic medals throughout his career, which makes him the most successful Olympic winner in history.

- Michael Phelps as the 2008 Sportsman of the Year was the easiest choice I have made - said Sports Illustrated editor Terry McDonell.

American media point out that not even Spitz was named the sportsman of the year in 1972, despite the “harvest” of gold medals at the Olympic Games. Tennis player Billie Jean King celebrated that year. Last year, American football player Brett Favre was named the sportsman of the year.

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