Sports Journalist Discusses Swimming, Gymnastics Feats at Beijing Games

RAY SUAREZ:

Christine, in the last 24 hours, Michael Phelps has become the most decorated champion in Olympic history. Is he the sensation of the games that we see him being on this end in the United States?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN, ABC/USA Today:

I think there is an element of that, certainly. I think that, because he's won five gold medals and to this point he has as many gold medals as South Korea does, if he were a nation, he'd be tied for third in the medal count.

Yes, the Chinese know who Michael Phelps is. There are some billboards, some pictures, some promotions with him in town, as well as some of the great Chinese heroes, of course, of these games and yet to be in these games.

So, yes, I think Michael Phelps is transcending the nation, the United States. He's transcending his sport, definitely. And it's becoming quite a fascination for the Chinese people, as well.

RAY SUAREZ:

Is there a way for non-swimmers to understand why Michael Phelps is so much better than everyone else this time around?

CHRISTINE BRENNAN:

Non-swimmers understanding? Well, I think certainly it helps that he has this incredible wingspan. He's six-foot-four. He's built in many ways like a boat. I mean, if you look at that incredible long torso that he has, it's almost like the hull of a boat.

His feet are flippers, you know, the motor, and his arms are kind of like oars. And I think the analogy works. I mean, this guy was made to swim, and he even said this. He tried team sports as a boy. He tried baseball, tried other sports, basketball, couldn't dunk. He said that was embarrassing for a guy who's six-foot-four.

And he decided to go to swimming. And, of course, that's clearly the place for him.