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Sunday, August 31, 2008

Michael Jackson's MTV appearance

Michael Jackson is rumoured to be appearing at the MTV Video Music Awards.

The 'Thriller' singer - who turns 50 today - is reportedly in talks to present an award with his sister Janet at the ceremony which is taking place on September 7 in Los Angeles.

The reclusive star is in the process of recording his new album in Las Vegas at the moment, and MTV bosses are keen for him to re-launch his faltering career by appearing at the show.

Michael - whose career has faltered since he was acquitted of child sex charges in 2005 - has been in the studio with Black Eyed Peas star will.i.am.

It was recently rumoured troubled pop star Britney Spears would be making her comeback at the ceremony, but her manager Larry Rudolph has since denied the claims.

He said: "Contrary to media reports, Britney was never slated to perform at this year's VMAs. She's in the middle of recording her next album, which is going amazingly well, and her focus remains on the studio."

MTV has yet to announce who will be presenting awards at the event - which is being hosted by British comedian Russell Brand - although they have released a list of performers, with Pink, Rihanna and the Jonas Brothers all set to take to the stage.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Theron, Liz Hurley and other celebs at Venice Film Festival

Oscar winning actress Charlize Theron arrives for a party in honour of Italian designer Valentino in Venice August 28, 2008. The film "Valentino: The Last Emperor," about the celebrated Italian designer's last two years at the helm of the fashion house he created, is being shown at the Venice Film Festival.


British actress Liz Hurley poses on the red carpet for the premiere of the movie "Valentino: The Last Emperor" directed by Matt Tyrnauer of the U.S at La Fenice Theatre in Venice August 28, 2008.


British actress Liz Hurley poses with her husband Arun Nayar on the red carpet for the premiere of the movie "Valentino: The Last Emperor" directed by Matt Tyrnauer of the U.S at La Fenice Theatre in Venice August 28, 2008.

Czech model Eva Herzigova and her partner Gregorio Marsiaj attend the premiere of the movie "Valentino: The Last Emperor" directed by Matt Tyrnauer of the U.S at La Fenice Theatre in Venice August 28, 2008.

German actress Diane Kruger poses on the red carpet for the premiere of the movie "Valentino: The Last Emperor" directed by Matt Tyrnauer of the U.S at La Fenice Theatre in Venice August 28, 2008.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Celebs arrive at the Film Festival in Venice

U.S. actor Brad Pitt waves as he arrives at the Film Festival in Venice August 27, 2008. Pitt stars in Ethan and Joel Coen's movie "Burn After Reading" which is being shown out of the competition at the Venice Film Festival.


U.S. actors Brad Pitt (C) and George Clooney (L) pose with British actress Tilda Swinton as they arrive at the Film Festival in Venice August 27, 2008. Pitt, Clooney and Swinton star in Ethan and Joel Coen's movie "Burn After Reading" which is shown out of the competition at the Venice Film Festival.

U.S. actor George Clooney (L) poses with Brad Pitt during a photocall in Venice August 27, 2008. Clooney and Pitt star in Ethan and Joel Coen's movie "Burn After Reading" which is shown out of the competition at the Venice Film Festival.

Supermodels get their undies out

Victoria's Secret models Doutzen Kroes (L) and Adriana Lima pose during a photo opportunity at the company's flagship store in New York August 26, 2008. Victoria's Secret introduced a new line of Supermodel Obsessions.

Victoria's Secret models Doutzen Kroes and Adriana Lima show off their undies at the launch of Supermodel Obsessions in New York.

Victoria's Secret models Doutzen Kroes and Adriana Lima were all smiles at the company's flagship store in New York for the launch of Supermodel Obsessions.

Both of the Angels looked stylish and comfortable - Lima in a tan coloured flowy summer dress, while Kroes opted for a silver and black above-the-knee cocktail dress.

They kept their look casual by pairing the dresses with open-toed flats.

Supermodel Obsessions is a collection of covetable underwear and sleepware.

And the good news? You don't have to head to the US to get the collection as the company delivers worldwide - including New Zealand.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Madonna kicks off "Sticky and Sweet" tour in UK

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.


U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

U.S. singer Madonna performs with a video of Kanye West behind on the opening night of her "Sticky & Sweet" tour at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff August 23, 2008. Madonna kicks off her "Sticky & Sweet" world tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday, the latest test of her enduring appeal just a week after her 50th birthday.

Monday, August 25, 2008

Thanks for the memories

Tonight I can write the saddest lines. This Pablo Neruda line so truly describes the feeling of every heart that beat in China last night.

Even the skies couldn't hold back their tears - but they made sure to cry in silence as the last dawn broke over the Beijing Games. They realized immediately, though, that it's not in the right spirit to say goodbye with tears in the eyes, and saved the rest for some other day.

Fireworks explode during the closing ceremony in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 24, 2008.

Tears are natural at the end of a grand get-together. But the people who have gathered in Beijing from all over the world to enjoy the 17 days deserved to be seen off with a smile.

That is exactly what the closing ceremony, with its bright fireworks display and mixture of Eastern and Western elements, did. It brought to an end what a journalist who spent the past 17 days in the Olympics Village described as "a party that took a long time coming but was over in a jiffy".

The village was still bubbling with faces, of athletes and officials and journalists before the closing ceremony. Jerseys and country colors were exchanged, messages of love and affection shared and goodbyes said with the hope of meeting again.

The footfalls on the Olympic Green and in the Olympic Village will not cease, but sadly something will be missing. The ground, the stadiums and the buildings, nevertheless, will keep singing the song of the Olympic spirit, the spirit of participation, the spirit to help improve people's lives, the spirit to make a difference to the world.

The Games also leaves behind memories of packed stadiums, world class performances, human endurance and triumph of the human spirit.

The Olympic flame is extinguished during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest" on August 24, 2008.

The Games is usually celebrated for the triumphs, but is as much about failures, for as John Milton says: They also serve who only stand and wait. So this is the time to hail the spectators and the viewers across the world whose enthusiasm made this a "truly exceptional Games", as IOC President Jacques Rogge put it last night.

This is also the time to salute the workers and officials who sweated it out for seven years to give the world this 17-day wonder.

This is also the time to honor the volunteers who worked day and night to make the Games a grand success, and the torchbearers who carried the flame as much in their hands as they did in their hearts. And this is also the time to thank the athletes, sports officials and journalists for making China's dream come true.

Salute is also due to the thousands of performers who gave shape to the dazzling opening and closing ceremonies, under the direction of Zhang Yimou, and to all the artists from home and abroad who contributed to its success.
Fireworks explode during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium August 24, 2008.

But the highest tribute is due to the human spirit, so beautifully presented in the opening and closing ceremonies. The human element was everywhere: in the typefaces and painting scrolls and canvases on the opening day, and in the colorful, myriad geometric formations at the closing ceremony.

This is the time to remember, too, that Beijing had Tianjin, Shenyang, Qingdao, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai and Hong Kong to share the Olympic glory.

Beijing has done everything it could to enrich the spirit of the Olympics. It passed on the Olympic torch to London last night, with hope that the legacy will be carried forward.

And it is with this spirit that the sacred flame seemed to say: "So long, Bird's Nest, Water Cube, Chaoyang Park and Tian'anmen Square. Hello, Wembley, Wimbledon, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square."

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Jamaica sets 4x100m relay record at Beijing Olympics



Usain Bolt capped his spectacular Summer Games by tearing through his portion of the 400-meter relay Friday, setting up Jamaica's victory in 37.10 seconds to break a 16-year-old world record.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Lightning Usain Bolt strikes thrice

You see him run a sprint only on camera. Try catching him with your naked eyes in the stadium, and chances are you will not realize what passed by.

The phenomenon called Usain Bolt did it again, albeit this time with the help of three Jamaican teammates.

Spectators in the packed Bird's Nest got what they had been waiting for the whole of Friday evening: Bolt doing his signature sprint and setting another world record.

Bolt ran the third leg, handing the baton to former 100m world record-holder Asafa Powell, yelled and pointed as Powell began the anchor leg.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt (front) starts to run as teammate Michael Frater (back-R) arrives with the baton during the men's 4?00m relay final at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 22, 2008. Jamaica broke the men's 4x100m relay world record in the Olympic final timing 37.10seconds.

And within seconds, just past 10 pm, the 4x100m men's relay record of 37.40 seconds lay shattered. Nesta Carter had started the amazing run, passing the baton to Michael Frater. The new record: 37.10 seconds.

Such was their dominance that the Jamaicans were almost a full second faster than silver medallists Trinidad and Tobago, which finished in 38.06 seconds. Japan took the bronze in 38.15.
The applause for the winners was deafening, with the Mexican wave in the stands accompanying the Jamaican team's victory lap on the tracks.

Men's 4x100m relay Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt, Michael Frater, Nesta Carter of Jamaica celebrate after winning the final of the athletics competition in the National Stadium during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 22, 2008.

It was Bolt's third gold. The first two, 100m (9.69 seconds) and 200m (19.30 seconds), came in world record times, too.

But it was a sad day for Jamaica's women sprinters. The favorites failed in passing the baton (in the third leg) in the 4x100 relay, allowing Russian women to run home with the gold.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt (L) celebrates next to teammate Asafa Powell after they won the men's 4x100m relay final at the National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 22, 2008. Jamaica won the men's 4x100 metres Olympic title timing a new world record of 37.10 seconds.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Beijing 2008 Wushu Competition

Evgeniya Ragulina of Kazakhstan performs during women's Qiangshu (spear play) of the Beijing 2008 Wushu Competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Evgeniya Ragulina ranked 5th in women's Qiangshu competition with a score of 9.44.


Zhao Qingjian of China performs during men's Daoshu (broadsword play) of the Beijing 2008 Wushu Competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Zhao Qingjian ranked first in men's Daoshu competition with a score of 9.85.

Hsiao Yung-Sheng of Chinese Taipei performs during men's Daoshu (broadsword play) of the Beijing 2008 Wushu Competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Hsiao Yung-Sheng ranked 7th in men's Daoshu competition with a score of 9.50.

Andrzej Topczewski of Poland performs during men's Daoshu (broadsword play) of the Beijing 2008 Wushu Competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Andrzej Topczewski ranked 9th in men's Daoshu competition with a score of 9.25.

Andrii Koval of Ukraine performs during men's Daoshu (broadsword play) of the Beijing 2008 Wushu Competition in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Andrii Koval ranked 8th in men's Daoshu competition with a score of 9.35.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Synchro swimming: a feast for the eyes

Chinese JiangTingting and Jiang Wenwen perform in the synchronized swimming duet free routine final event at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 20, 2008. Russia won gold. China placed fourth.


Christina Jones and Andrea Nott of the U.S. perform in the synchronised swimming duet free routine final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 20, 2008.

Andrea Fuentes and Gemma Mengual of Spain perform in the synchronised swimming duet free routine final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 20, 2008.

Tingting Jiang and Wenwen Jiang of China perform in the duet technical Routine synchronised swimming event at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 18, 2008.. The Chinese pair finished the technical routine in fourth place.

Britney Spears' revealing reality

Britney Spears is reportedly set to star in a new reality TV show.

The troubled singer is set to defy the wishes of her family - including dad Jamie, who is co-conservator of her estate, and ex-husband Kevin Federline - to appear in the proposed fly-on-the-wall MTV documentary.

The proposed programme will focus on Britney's attempts to get her life and career back on track following her breakdown earlier this year.

A source told Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "Britney's dad is furious. He thinks it's a big mistake and doesn't want anything to do with it. But Britney thinks it will help her custody battle for her sons."

Britney's mother Lynne is said to be desperately trying to talk her daughter out of the show because she fears the 'Toxic' singer will use it as a platform to speak out before Lynne's tell-all book is published.

A worried friend of Britney - who has two sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, 23 months, with Kevin - said: "This could be the biggest car crash television moment of all time."
Britney has previously starred in an MTV reality show with Kevin, 'Britney and Kevin Chaotic' which aired in 2005.

It was cancelled after one season and mainly featured home videos the couple had made.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

"Tropic Thunder" knocks "Dark Knight" out of box office top

Cast members (from L-R) Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. pose at the premiere of "Tropic Thunder" at the Mann's Village theatre in Westwood, California August 11, 2008. The movie opens in the U.S. on August 13.

Dream Works' big-budget comedy "Tropic Thunder" topped the box office in North America this weekend, knocking Warner Bros.' latest Batman film out of the number one spot after it reigned in theaters for more than one month.

"Tropic Thunder," which stars Hollywood big names Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Tom Cruise, opened to rave reviews and took in 26 million dollar over the three-day period, according to box office tracking firm Media By Numbers Sunday.

The film took in about 37 millions since its Wednesday release in U.S. and Canadian theaters as it continued the summer trend of opening new films in the middle of the week.

Meanwhile, "The Dark Knight" slipped to second with 16.8 million dollars over the weekend. As predicted, the sixth installment of the Batman franchise surpassed the original "Star Wars" Saturday to become the second-highest gross film ever in North America, with 471.5 million dollars over five weeks.

The 1997 "Titanic" remains the highest-grossing movie of all time in North America, with a take of nearly 601 million dollars. It is also No. 1 globally with a worldwide gross of 1.84 billion dollars.

An animated George Lucas production called "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" opened in third place this weekend with some 15.5 million dollars. The film, also released by Warner Bros., is a prequel to the original movies and timed to launch a new Cartoon Network series.

"Mirrors," a 20th Century Fox horror tale about a security guard whose family is terrorized by spirits, opened at No. 4 with 11.1 million dollars over the weekend, while last week's No. 2 film "Pineapple Express" slipped to No. 5 with 10 million dollars.

Hollywood appears to be matching last year's record ticket sales pace, as the movie industry has taken in about 6.3 billion dollars so far this year, almost same as that in the same period last year.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Scarlett Johansson finds being a woman actor difficult

Scarlett Johansson thinks acting is "harder for women". The 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona' actress - who stars alongside Penelope Cruz in Woody Allen's new film - believes succeeding in the "vain" movie industry is more difficult if you are female.

She said: "Acting is definitely harder for women. Women kind of wilt as men sort of achieve as they get older, like wine or whatever. It's like, 'Oh, she's past her prime and she can't play a sex symbol.' It's just a preconceived notion about women in general and particularly in this industry. It's a very vain, vain industry."

Scarlett - who released her debut solo album 'Anywhere I Lay My Head' earlier this year - also revealed her plans for the future.

She added to Britain's Hello! magazine: "I would love to do another album. It was fantastic to not only live with that music that I love every day but to work with such wonderful musicians. It's like a whole little creative commune we had. "

Right now, I would like to focus on developing something to direct. I have wanted to direct since I was 12. I remember making 'The Horse Whisperer' and thinking, 'I want that guy's job!'"

Jessica Alba at 2008 NCLR Alma awards

Actress Jessica Alba presents the award for Special Achievement in Fashion during the taping of the 2008 "NCLR Alma" awards at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, August 17, 2008. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) gives out the ALMA awards to honor outstanding Latino artistic achievement in television, film and music. The show airs on September 12 on ABC.
Actress Jessica Alba presents fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez with the award for Special Achievement in Fashion during the taping of the 2008 "NCLR Alma" awards at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California August 17, 2008. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) gives out the ALMA awards to honor outstanding Latino artistic achievement in television, film and music. The show airs on September 12 on ABC.

Actress Jessica Alba presents fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez with the award for Special Achievement in Fashion during the taping of the 2008 "NCLR Alma" awards at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California August 17, 2008. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) gives out the ALMA awards to honor outstanding Latino artistic achievement in television, film and music. The show airs on September 12 on ABC.

Actress Jessica Alba arrives for the taping of the 2008 "NCLR Alma" awards at the Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California, August 17, 2008. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) gives out the ALMA awards to honor outstanding Latino artistic achievement in television, film and music. The show airs September 12 on ABC.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The world gasps as Liu walks away from Men's 110m Hurdles

China's Liu Xiang reacts after getting injured.

In the biggest upset of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games for host country China, world and Olympic champion Liu Xiang stumbled at the start of his qualifying heat in round one of the Men's 110m Hurdles on Monday morning. He later withdrew entirely from the event.

After Mohammed Issa Al-Thawadi of Qatar in lane three made a false start, Liu slipped off the blocks himself. When the athletes gathered at the start to get set a second time, Liu was conspicuously absent.

"A 110m Hurdles race without Liu is such a pity," Al-Thawadi said after the race. "I really wanted to be just next to Liu's lane because he's such a big champion. It's a great pity I lost an occasion to race with him. I hope he will come back soon."

At a press conference following the event, Liu's coach confirmed that the star's withdrawal was as a result of an injury to his right take-off foot, which has been affecting him for about six years. Liu reported on his own website Sunday that he was suffering from a sore Achilles tendon.

Liu's showdown with Dayron Robles, the Cuban who took away his world record earlier this summer, was one of the most eagerly-anticipated events of the Games.

During his warm-up, Liu grimaced as he attempted to stride over a set of two hurdles. He stepped onto the track with the other runners in his heat and warmed up in his start lane. In one practice run, he fell to his knees and held his leg.

After the false start, he attempted a run several times, but eventually shook his head, removed his race numbers and began to repeatedly kick a wall.

Liu took first place at the world championships in Osaka, Japan, last year with a time of 12.95 seconds, but has yet to break 13 seconds this year or even turn in a top 10 performance.

Robles overtook Liu's world record in April 2008 when he ran 12.87 at the Ostrava Grand Prix in Czech Republic. The Cuban just missed out on a medal at the 2007 World Championships when he finished fourth. So far in 2008, he has run 13.01s at the Shanghai Grand Prix and 13.20s at the Berlin Golden League meet.

Terrence Trammell of the United States was also disappointed after failing to finish his race due to an injury. He was looking to finally win a gold medal after earning four major silver medals in his career.

The 29 year-old took silver at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympic Games. He has twice finished second at the World Championships, in 2003 in Paris, and 2007 in Osaka when he ran 12.99, the first time he went under 13 seconds in a major final.

In the same lane Liu was assigned to run in one heat later, Trammell fell dramatically after hurting his hamstring.

"He's a veteran in hurdles for the United States, and we're going to have to pick it up and make sure we represent the US," said David Payne, after seeing his teammate fail to finish his race.

David Oliver of the United States enters round two as the fastest qualifier, after running a time of 13.30 seconds, putting him ahead of Colombia's Paulo Villar in 13.87s and Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, who ran 13.38s.

Cuba's Dayron Robles clears a hurdle.

Robles moves on after running a relaxed 13.39s to win the first heat.

Round two will be held tomorrow night, August 19, at the National Stadium.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Epic eight golds for phenomenal Phelps

With eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps has ascended to the top of the world.

"This is a dream come true for me," the swimmer said. He not only accomplished his goal of breaking the seven-gold mark of his countryman Mark Spitz in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, but also went well beyond that.

Michael Phelps of the United States gestures after his team winning the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics swimming events on Sunday, breaking Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals won at a single Games in 1972.

"I want to be the first Michael Phelps, not the second Mark Spitz," he said.

"Being able to have something like that to shoot for made those days when you were tired and didn't want to be there, when you just wanted to go home and sleep, not work out," he added.

In Beijing, Phelps swam 17 races, totaling an unmatched length of 3,200 meters in the water. He swept the golds in his pet events, overpowered competitors in his weak races and still managed to win when his goggle malfunctioned.

Michael Phelps of the United States smiles during the awarding ceremony of the Men's 4X100M Medlay Relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics swimming events on Sunday, breaking Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals won at a single Games in 1972.

"I went from hitting my head on the wall to win by one hundredth of a second to doing my best time in every event. It's been nothing but an upwards roller coaster. It's been nothing but fun," he said.

Phelps now has 14 Olympic gold medals around his neck, making him the greatest Olympian of all time. At the award ceremony for the 4X100 medley relay, Phelps was given a special certificate by swimming governing body FINA to acknowledge his achievements.
U.S. swimmers Michael Phelps (R) and Aaron Peirsol celebrate after their team winning the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. U.S. swimmers set a new world record of the event in a time of 3 minutes 29.34 seconds and won the gold medal.
The golds were hard work paying off, Phelps said. "My coach Bob always said to me that it was like putting money in the bank. I guess I put a lot of money in the bank for the last four years, and we withdrew pretty much every penny of it."

With stunning races in the Beijing's Water Cube, Phelps has turned the competition into a one-man show. Many superlatives were piled on the 23-year-old American. Online, he was called the Poseidon, the half-man half-fish, and the extra-terrestrial. Netizens attempted to decipher his success by analyzing the picture of his body, digging out what he eats and even what music he listens to.

Phelps has conquered almost everyone, his teammates, competitors, coaches, swimming officials and of course the spectators.

Australian swim coach Alan Thompson said the presence of Phelps "made a field of great swimmers look ordinary." His teammate Aaron Peirsol said it might be once in a century you see something like Phelps races. "He's not just winning, he's absolutely destroying everything. It's awesome to watch," Peirsol said.
Family members of US swimmer Michael Phelps react after his team winning the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with the help of his teammates with 3 minutes 29.34 seconds.

His rival Park Tae-hwan said it was both an honour and a tragic thing to compete with Phelps, because he could only swim for the second. Three-time Olympian Australian Grant Hackett said there are no words to describe Phelps' level of achievement. "In my opinion we'll never ever see it again, it will never be emulated," Hackett said on Sunday.

"I said he could win six or seven, with a little luck maybe eight. That 100 butterfly race, the way he got on that wall, everything lined up for him perfectly. He is an incredible racer," Hackett said.

Phelps won that 100 fly race by the smallest margin -- 0.01 seconds over the runner-up Serbian swimmer. The Serbian team filed an official protest, but had to settle for a silver when the timing system also seemed to be with the phenom.
Michael Phelps of the United States kisses his sister after his team winning the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Phelps won his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics swimming events on Sunday, breaking Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals won at a single Games in 1972.

"Michael Phelps is the greatest ever. He was always first in the race. It was a question to share or not to share first place. Everything we saw, the first arrival was Michael Phelps," said FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu, when explaining the 100m fly race dispute.

Looking back, Phelps admitted there was a bit of luck.

"I guess eight is a lucky number for me, too, now. Seeing 8/8/08 and the opening ceremony started at 8/8/08. Maybe it was meant to be," he said.

Starting swimming at the age of five, Phelps built up from his perfect physique, with an armspan longer than his height, to be the best swimmer in the world.
Michael Phelps of the United States hugs his mother and sister after his team winning the men's 4x100m medley relay final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Phelps won his eighth gold medal at Beijing Olympics with 3 minutes 29.34 seconds in the event.
"I think I'm lucky to have everything I have. I'm lucky to have the talent, the drive and the excitement about the sport. I'm fortunate for every quality that I have," he said.

In 2000, Phelps made his Olympic debut as the youngest athlete on the U.S. team and placed fifth in the 200m butterfly. Months later, he set a new best in the event as the youngest man to break a world record. He won six gold medals and two bronzes in Athens, and seven golds in the Melbourne World Championships last year.

In Beijing, the swimming icon rocketed to another career peak and he was filled with emotions when he looked back at what he has done.

"I've dreamed of a lot of things, and written down a lot of goals. And this one (eight golds) was the biggest one I had ever written down," he said.

"My Mom and I still joked that in the middle school, I had an English teacher saying I'd never be successful. It's from little things like that," he said, elaborating his thoughts when he savored the golds.

The past week has been one of the most emotional one for Phelps. "I just wanted to make sure I took every single moment in, every single swim in, and every moment I had with my team-mates in, so I could remember that. I've had so many great moments here in China," he said.

Wrapping up his Beijing trip, Phelps planned to have the break that he always wanted.

"One of the things I'm looking forward to is going back to the States. I just want to lay in my own bed for five minutes at least and just relax."

"I woke up this morning and saw two of my friends with some fake gold medals around their neck and everyone has gone crazy. I'm excited to seeing them and I look forward not doing anything, just sitting," he said.

Looking into future goals, Phelps said he wanted to keep racing.

"I like to try some other events, maybe not do some of the events I did here. My coach Bob (Bowman) said he wants to start fresh, do things he hasn't done before, trying new training methods," he said.

In the long term, he wants to continue to raise the bar for swimming.

"The goal that I have and working towards is in progress, (but) it's going to take some time to really be where I wanted to be," he said. Phelps' sensational swimming races have skyrocketed the TV ratings in his country.

"I don't want the sport to be an every-four-year sport. We are given much attention every four years, but there isn't really as much exposure for us," he said.

"I want to get people involved in the sport and be aware of what we're doing. In the upcoming years we will see it happen more and more," he said.

"Swimming has changed my life and allowed me to do so many things. To enable the next generation to do more, I can't even imagine what it will be like. I'm excited to watch it change," he said.