Perfect Eighth

He did it. It's that simple.

Eight gold medals. The most ever one in a single Olympics. Fourteen all-time gold medals. The most ever by anyone in the history of the Olympics. That's what Michael Phelps accomplished today.

It is no longer known as a "Spitzian" effort (as teammate Aaron Perisol noted today). It is now a "Phelpsian" effort when one does remarkable things at an Olympic Games.

And to be surprsied that Team USA won the medley relay today is like being surprised when John Williams gets nominated for an Oscar. The Americans always dominate the medley relay (they've never an Olympic final). So this was partly anti-climatic. It was just the coronation of Phelps as the greatest of all time.

That's how these Olympics have gone for Phelps. Only twice was he tested. And six of his eight victories were so decisive that it makes me wonder why Debbie Phelps (Michael's mom) had to cry after each gold medal win.

Phelps brought a buzz around the Olympics and around swimming, but he was also a buzz kill. It was amazing to watch him defeat swimmers by two or three or four body lengths, to smash world records and to simply destroy competition. But I wouldn't call it exciting.

Eight for eight was the draw. Phelps delivered, but Phelps killed most of the excitement and the drama after the second turn.

But that's how good he is.

And we cannot forget Jason Lezak, who Phelps owes much for this accomplishment. And we cannot forget the epic race Phelps had against Milograd (Mike) Cavic, who came within a fingernail of ending Phelps' run.

But in the end, many may not remember how Lezak swam the anchor in that incredible come-from-behind-relay finish. Most will forget that Phelps touched the wall .01 seconds before Cavic in the butterfly final.

What the people will remember is that Phelps won eight gold medals.

He did it.