Melbourne
American swimmer Michael Phelps ruled the world swimming championships this week, winning gold in all seven of his races and breaking five world records in the process. “His performance this week was the greatest performance of all time,” said Mark Schubert, coach of Team USA. Phelps, 21, started each race with the same routine: listening to Young Jeezy’s hip-hop song “Go Getta” on his iPod, then climbing up to the starting block and flapping his arms. Mark Spitz, also an American, is the only other swimmer to have won seven gold medals at an international event; his sweep came at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What's the best time of year to buy a house?The Explainer There are pros and cons to each season
-
Africa's largest dam is making diplomatic wavesUnder the Radar Ethiopians view using the Nile as a 'sovereign right' but the vast hydroelectric project has 'fuelled nationalist fervour' in Egypt and Sudan
-
Jessica Francis Kane's 6 favorite books that prove less is moreFeature The author recommends works by Penelope Fitzgerald, Marie-Helene Bertino, and more
