Aug 18, 2008 9:46 am US/Eastern
Local Fans Proud Of Phelps' Historic Olympic Run
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Michael Phelps displays the eight gold medals he won at the swimming events during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, in this composite photo. (August 17, 2008)
Martin Bureau/AFP/Getty Images
Michael Phelps is now the first athlete in Olympic history to ever win eight gold medals in one Olympic games. Now there's a fever like nothing residents have ever felt before storming through Baltimore City over the Olympian.
Mary Bubala reports with these record-setting Olympic performances, Phelps takes his place with other Baltimore sports legends like Johnny Unitas and Cal Ripken.
From Baltimore's ESPNZone to Ravens Stadium, where fans stayed after the Ravens game to watch Phelps win his eighth gold medal, there were screams heard around Maryland.
"I've heard about 70,000 people at Ravens Stadium staying after the preseason game to watch the relay on the big screen," said Phelps. "Four years ago, that wouldn't even be. There's no way that would ever happen, so I think the sport of swimming has come a long way so far, and I think it can go even further. That's why I hope to take it even further."
Fans beamed with pride over Baltimore native Michael Phelps, who learned to swim at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club. He's an inspiration to young and old swimmers.
"Well, I grew up swimming, so to watch someone do something as impressive as this...awesome, especially for our country, too. Unites us all, it's awesome," said one swimmer.
No fan is as proud as Michael's mom.
"The very special thing to me was watching his emotions," said Debbie Phelps.
Another fan, Mayor Sheila Dixon, says Michael is an inspiration, and his record eight medals shows that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
It's not just Baltimore's leader congratulating Phelps. President Bush congratulated Phelps in a phone call Sunday morning saying if you can handle eight gold medals you can handle anything.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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