Medal machine Michael Phelps manufactured history and more tears for his mum yesterday by becoming the first athlete to win a magical eight Olympic golds at a single Games.
His remarkable feat in front of a packed house in the 'Water Cube' was completed when the US won the men's 4x100 metres medley relay and set a world record. The triumph took the 23-year-old past compatriot Mark Spitz, who won seven swimming gold medals at Munich in 1972.
'The biggest thing is nothing is impossible,' Phelps said. 'With so many people saying it couldn't be done, all it takes is an imagination.
'That's something I learned, something that helped me,' said Phelps, who hugged his mum and sister in the stands after receiving his most prized medal after nine magical days in the pool.
China had been good to him in the auspiciously timed Olympics, which began on 08-08-08. 'I guess eight is a lucky number for me, too ... I guess this was meant to be.'
Phelps was part of the dream US relay team that wiped out the old mark of three minutes, 30.68 seconds with a winning time of 3:29.34.
