Michael Phelps learns to speak Chinese

Michael Phelps (US) who won his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 4×100m medley on Sunday, breaking the record for most in a single Games.

Phelps got everything ready before he started his Olympic visit to Beijing. He spent some time on Chinese learning over computer. He can speak Chinese a little bit for simple conversations. That’s enough. If he can spare more time on mandarin Chinese, probably he can win a ninth gold medal for Chinese learning in the near future, I bet.

Age: 23 (date of birth: June 30, 1985)

Place of birth: Baltimore, United States

2008 Olympic results:

Eight gold medals (400m individual medley, 4×100m freestyle relay, 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly, 4×200 freestyle relay, 200m individual medley, 100m butterfly, 4×100 medley relay)

Career achievements:

Seven gold medals at 2007 World Championships (200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4×100 freestyle relay and 4×200 freestyle relay)

Five gold medals at 2005 World Championships (200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 4×100 freestyle relay, 4×200 freestyle relay, 4×100 medley relay)

Four gold medals at 2003 World Championships (200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4×100 medley relay)

One gold medal at 2001 World Championships (200m butterfly)

Previous Olympic results:

Six gold medals at 2004 Olympics (100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4×200 freestyle relay, 4×100 medley relay)

Two bronze medals at 2004 Olympics (200m freestyle, 4×100 freestyle relay)

Phelps is the most successful Olympian of all time with a career tally of 14 golds, five more than anyone else.

He broke fellow American Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven wins at a single Games after coming close to matching his mark at Athens four years ago when he collected six golds.

He has an unusual physique with a long torso and comparatively short legs, providing minimal resistance in the water.

His sister Whitney was a member of the US World Championship team in 2005.