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FACTBOX: Gold medalist Michael Phelps

Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:58am EDT
Michael Phelps of the U.S. holds his gold medal after winning the men's 400m individual medley swimming final at the National Aquatics Center during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 10, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

(Reuters) - Factbox on swimmer Michael Phelps (U.S.) who won the Olympic gold medal in the men's 400m individual medley on Sunday.

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

Place of birth: Baltimore, United States

Career achievements:

Seven gold medals at 2007 World Championships (200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x100 freestyle relay and 4x200 freestyle relay)

Five gold medals at 2005 World Championships (200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 4x100 freestyle relay, 4x200 freestyle relay, 4x100 medley relay)

Four gold medals at 2003 World Championships (200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x100 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, 4x200 freestyle relay, 4x100 medley relay)

Two bronze medals at 2004 Olympics (200m freestyle, 4x100 freestyle relay)

Phelps is chasing 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 entered eight events.

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 U.S. World Championship team in 2005.

(Compiled by Nigel Hunt, Editing by Padraic Halpin)



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