Ethan Says

MICHAEL PHELPS IS SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Sports Illustrated has named Olympic Champion Michael Phelps "Sportsman of the Year" for 2008. With a record-breaking 8 gold medals around his neck, Phelps is now spending his time teaching kids to swim safely and promoting his sport as an every-year event.

By championing the cause of water safety Phelps could save many lives, and the trajectory of others will be changed merely by his inspirational example. In 2012, when we are deep into another presidential election and facing challenges that have yet to reveal themselves, Phelps will once again unite a nation. He does not swim alone. He swims for all of us.

Read the full article at SI.com and watch the underwater covershoot here.

MICHAEL PHELPS SWIMS THROUGH HISTORY

Inspired by Mark Spitz who showed off his 7 gold medals won at the 1972 Munich Games, Michael Phelps poses for the latest Sports Illustrated cover (above), flaunting his record-breaking eight Olympic gold medals taken at this year's games in Beijing.  The new 'Alltime Olympian' cover is Phelps' 6th for SI.

OTHER COVERS (left to right):

• August 2, 2004: Though he strove for eight golds in Greece, he settled for six golds and two bronze.
• August 23, 2004: Getting along swimmingly, his successes continue to ring true with each broken record dating back to Athens.
• February 3, 2005: In between Olympiads, the Maryland native was a big fish in the NCAA pools of Ann Arbor, Mich..
• July 28, 2008: Seeking circular closure to his goal for eight golds, Phelps emerged as the face of the Beijing Olympics prior to the opening ceremonies.
• August 18, 2008: Phelps got his feet and swimsuit wet before winning his first three events, including the men's 4 x100 freestyle relay.