Olympian Michael Phelps has captivated the nation with his performance at the Olympic Games in Beijing. As well as Stratford swimmer Hunter Bayley.

The senior – like most of America – has been watching the exploits of the young swimming sensation, and has been amazed with Phelps' poise and performance in the first week of competition.

“There’s never been a performance like that in the Olympics,” Bailey said. “So far, he’s had five races, won five gold medals and set five world records. You can’t get any better than that.”

On Wednesday, Phelps swam into history as the winningest Olympic athlete ever with his 10th and 11th career gold medals – and five world records in five events at the Beijing Games.

He won his sixth Thursday night, taking the 200 individual medley in another world record time of 1:52.43, lowering his previous world record of 1:54.8.

Phelps has already won gold in the 200-meter butterfly, the 200 freestyle, the 800 freestyle relay, the 400 freestyle relay and the 400 individual medley. He has three more chances to stretch his lead before he leaves China. He'll swim in the 200 individual medley, 100 fly and 400 medley relay.

Phelps is also keeping pace with Mark Spitz on the record front. Spitz set world standards in all seven of his wins at Munich in 1972, while Phelps is now 6-for-6 in China.

“It’s just one of those things that is so unreal,” Bailey said. “(Phelps has) also raced in 17 races so far, so he’s had a full schedule. Every time he swims, he does something incredible. It’s amazing to watch.”

Bailey, who participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials and the Junior Nationals, thinks that Phelps has performed strongly in the Games considering the fierce amount of pressure and attention he is getting in every single race.

“Not only is he that good at swimming, but he can handle the pressure at such a high level,” Bailey said. “He’s got the target on his back in every race. Everyone wants to take the top guy down in every race, and he goes out there and does even better.”

***

FOLLOWING HISTORY

Here is the schedule for Michael Phelps' remaining Olympic races. All events are expected to be televised live in the Eastern and Central time zones on NBC, locally KPRC-Channel 2:

100 butterfly, 9:10 p.m Friday

4-by-100 medley relay, 9:58 p.m. Saturday

Subscribe to this comment's feed