Phelps Seeks Redemption for '04 Athens Loss

Olympian favored in 200-meter freestyle, on track for 8 medals
By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 11, 2008 4:59 PM CDT
Phelps Seeks Redemption for '04 Athens Loss
United States' Michael Phelps, right, and his teammate Garret Weber-Gale celebrate winning the gold in the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay final during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.    (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Michael Phelps is gunning for a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Games, but the one that would mean the most is in the 200-meter freestyle, his hometown Baltimore Sun reports. He insisted on competing in the event at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and it was the only individual event he lost. "I wanted to be in that race," says Phelps, who finished third behind Australia's Ian Thorpe.

"That was probably his best race," recalls his coach. "It just kind of goes to show how Michael has a different view of things than most people." Phelps now holds the world record in the 200 free and is the favorite in tonight's final. (More swimming stories.)

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