Michael Phelps Named Sportsman of the Year

Michael Phelps Named Sportsman of the Year
Copyright 2008 / Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated has given its top 2008 award to Olympic champion Michael Phelps.

The magazine's group editor Terry McDonell said this year it was an easy choice: "Look at what he did in Beijing last summer. I was there. I saw him race after race, win again and again -- we all saw that. And then to know him now -- it is so obvious that he changed not only swimming, but also the entire Olympic landscape."

Phelps, 23, will be honored tonight in New York City along with Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who will be the first recipient of the Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award. Previous Sportsmen of the Year include Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Michael Jordan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

Published 12/2/08 by the Insider

Comments (3)

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  • Usain Bolt was the best athlete in the olympics, swimming records were going left right and centre, track records have more longevity and Bolt broke three. so that speaks for itself. But S.I can keep their award, Bolt will do just fine without it
    NikkiJ2 12/4/08 Reply
  • Michael Phelps won a record breaking 8 gold medals and set 7 new world records, jackass! Bolt did nothing compared to Phelps!
    Anonymous 12/2/08 Reply
  • This is garbage!! Usain Bolt was the best athlete in the Olympic.
    Anonymous 12/2/08 Reply