Hiyo, everyone. I'll be posting more later today because I have to work (on a Sunday - ugh). But for now, I just have to say that this is one of the cutest things I've ever read:
Michael Phelps grabbed his head in disbelief, then thrust his left fist in the air. He's an Olympic champion - just like Mark Spitz. Phelps began his quest to overtake Spitz's 1972 record haul of seven gold medals with a dominating performance in the 400-meter individual medley, breaking his own world record Saturday night and claiming the first U.S. gold medal of the Athens Games...
"I'm a little bit less nervous," said Phelps, 19, of Baltimore. "I've got one off my shoulders and can relax a little bit"...
During the medal ceremony, Phelps seemed a bit baffled about where he was supposed to stand before getting his award. But he'll probably have plenty of practice over the next week.
He climbed the podium and leaned over to have a gold medal draped around his neck and an olive wreath placed on his head. During "The Star-Spangled Banner," Phelps removed the wreath and held it over his heart - much like he would a baseball cap - and quietly mouthed the words.
I just think that's adorable. Here's a 19-year-old kid, winning gold medals in the ancient city of Athens, being given the highest honor the Greeks can bestow, and because his momma told him to always take off his cap when the national anthem was played, he put his olive wreath over his heart. I love it.
Posted by kswygert at August 15, 2004 10:19 AM