Phelps' Legend Grows

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DID MICHAEL PHELPS rescue your cat from a tree last night?

I heard a rumor that he cured the common cold.

My favorite: Phelps captured the Penguin and Joker before Batman got out of bed — and is in line to be the next Aquaman.

Everywhere you go, it's Michael Phelps this and Michael Phelps that. Until the paparazzi get their claws stuck in the Olympic swimmer, Phelps is the next American hero.

Can you even name a U.S. track star left to compete this week in Beijing? I'm already struggling with the name of the women's all-around gymnastics champion (it's Nastia Liukin).

Jokes aside, Phelps is probably the biggest star in the world right now. The last sports figure who was discussed this much was traded to the New York Jets.

He'll have lasting power, too. Phelps replaced Mark Spitz not only in the record book but also in the Olympic conversation.

It will take decades for an athlete to duplicate or exceed Phelps' Beijing Olympics. And the longer it takes, the more Phelps' legend will grow.

Do you think Sports Illustrated's search for its sportsman of the year is over? Better luck next year, Kobe.

Remember when El Nino was blamed for all of the world's ills a few years ago? For now, Phelps is the opposite.

He achieved a seemingly invincible record despite a gigantic amount of pressure and hype. No wonder Phelps appears to be superhuman, or more appropriately, a superhero.

Photo by Jonathan Newton/TWP