I watched the Closing Ceremonies on Sunday night.  Really hard to believe that the Games have wrapped up and are over and it’ll be another 4-year period before the London Games kick-off.  The 2008 Games flew by, didn’t they?  It was really special seeing Michael in London, and we were wondering what must have been going through his head when the jets screamed overhead.  I’m really happy that he was able to relax for a few days and experience London.

During the Ceremonies, I was SO thrilled to see mom’s commercial! My mom was named Johnson’s Baby Mom of the Games, and they shot the commercial and turned it around in record time, so it was ready for Sunday night. (They posted it online.  If you missed it, definitely check it out!) She is truly amazing, and you could see in her eyes just how proud she is of Michael. 

So, last night, while enjoying dinner with a friend, I overheard a bit of the conversation that was going on at the next table.  The people behind me were talking about “Michael Phelps” and “Mark Spitz” and “eight gold medals,” but I couldn’t quite hear everything that they were saying.  I found myself telling Erin to “shhh” so I could eavesdrop and listen closely to what was being said! It was a bit strange to be casually eating and hear your brother’s name mentioned over and over again in a conversation!  But, I guess it’s something I will get used to, as his accomplishments are VERY conversation friendly and something that everyone is still talking about!

-Hilary Phelps

So, it’s back to reality and back to work.  It really seems like just yesterday we were sitting in the Water Cube in Beijing watching Michael make history.  While getting back to ‘normal life’ is tough, it’s also been good, because it’s helped me to realize just how amazing Michael’s accomplishment was, and just how great of a time we had in China. 

We boarded the plane in China on Monday, and headed back to the States.  My mom was recognized on the plane, which was surreal.  But, little did I know, that it was just the beginning!  On Tuesday, my mom and I headed to NYC for some media.  My mom was named Johnson’s Baby Mom of the Games, which is such an honor and really fitting, as she is a terrific mom! 

We boarded another plane on Tuesday and headed to the Big Apple.  Upon landing, we were taken to an apartment where my mom filmed a commercial that will air during Closing Ceremonies.  (Make sure you tune in to Closing Ceremonies, because it’s a GREAT one!)  We were able to get some sleep Tuesday night, and were up at 4:30am on Wednesday to start the day.  We went to Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, and Extra.  There were interviews with the New York Post, In Touch, Wall Street Journal and iVillage, just to name a few.  But, the most interesting thing that happened, was that my mom was recognized EVERYWHERE we went!  She was stopped on the street by a police officer, who told her that he had never tuned into the Olympics, but did this year because of all of the excitement.  People asked for her autograph and were telling her just how proud they were of Michael and his accomplishments, and also how proud they were of her. 

From the age of 15, Michael said that he wanted to elevate the sport of swimming.  From what I saw in NYC, he has – a billboard in Times Square, talks of a movie, and the feeling of camaraderie that spread during these Olympic Games.  It’s truly amazing and only now starting to sink in. 

-Hilary Phelps

I cannot find the words to describe today’s swim.  Sitting in the stands watching Michael go from 7^th, at the 50 meter mark, to 1^st was an out of body experience.  As Michael came to the wall the entire natatorium fell silent.  Everyone was unsure what the outcome had been.  As I glanced up at the clock I went crazy.  Michael had won the event by 1 one-hundredth of a second.  I could not believe it.

At the finish Michael decided to take one final stroke and touched finished first by a fingernail.  Thank goodness for long fingers!  Mom was not able to watch the entire race and melted into her seat after finding out the results.  Hilary and I jumped up and down and received congratulations from the surrounding fans.  Michael was ecstatic and pumped his fists in the air and pounded the water.  I was so unbelievably proud of him.

After the meet was over we were able to go down on deck and see him.  My mom, Hilary and I were so excited to see him.  When we got there he was doing an interview with Mark Spitz and NBC.  We were not able to speak to him one on one, but we were able to hug him.  His hug was so tight and it was nice to have that moment with him.  Before we left he reached into his warm up jacket and handed his GOLD medal to us.  It was so beautiful and I felt honored to hold it.

The program that he has taken on during the Games has been remarkable.  He has stood up at each race and gave it his all.  Looking into his eyes I can tell that he is exhausted, but he has one more race left.  Tomorrow morning is the 4x100 Individual Medley Relay and this race will too be a challenge.  He has to leave everything he has in the pool and I am confident that this relay team will do a remarkable job. 

This whole journey has been an amazing ride and I am so glad that I have been a part of it.  I have truly enjoyed watching Michael take on the world and make history.  We are leaving on Monday and I am excited to get home and see my kids.  It is going to be hard to go back to reality, but I am looking forward to holding and kissing my kids. 

Thank you everyone for supporting Michael and our family.  The kind words and well wishes have been greatly appreciated.  I am going to wrap up for the night and try to get some sleep before the last swim race of the Olympics.  See you when we get home!

-Whitney Phelps

Oh. My. Goodness.  This whole week has been amazing and exciting and coming into the meet this morning, I was calm.  That feeling soon vanished and was replaced with nervousness and a tight knot in my stomach!  We watched Dara Torres swim and then Larson Jenson in the 1500.  The women’s 4x100 Medley relay swam and then the men’s 4x100 Medley relay walked out on the deck.  The venue went nuts! Everyone was cheering, and once the race started, everyone was on his or her feet.  The race seemed over before it started, and the USA team won.  And the place was rocking.  Hugs, tears and congratulations all around.  Even Kobe Bryant and LaBron James came to the pool to watch Michael swim!

The relay team came out to accept their medals and started their lap around the pool.  Someone handed the boys a flag that flew in Iraq, and they carried it around the deck.  Michael came up and gave us all hugs and kisses, and the cameras were flashing all around us.  Someone yelled, “Move back. Let them have this (moment).”   Even with all of the people around us, it seemed as if it was just the four of us there in the moment. 

NBC took us up to their set at the pool, where we saw Michael quickly before he had to go off and fulfill his responsibilities of a press conference and drug testing.  After we left the set, we were put into golf carts and whisked off to the NBC studios, where we are currently waiting in their Green Room for Michael to arrive. 

 I am still letting everything sink in and the incredible feat that Michael has just accomplished is still unbelievable to me.  Eight gold medals and seven world records in eight days.  The meet started on 8/8/08… Michael won eight gold medals in eight days… The Chinese people say that the number eight means Prosperity and good fortune.  I believe it.  Congratulations Michael.  I am so very, very proud of you.  We all are.    

Wow, what a time this has been.   Our morning started off as it has every morning, we indulged in a wonderful breakfast at our hotel!  After filling out tummies, we loaded the cars for a seat clenching ride to the pool.  Michael was about to swim the 200 IM semi-finals.  As we filed into the Water Cube (H2O3) the Phelps’ family was starting to get excited and into our morning mode. 

We grabbed our waters and watched Michael swim a cool morning swim.  He qualified for the final heat of the 200 IM and is seeded second going into the finals.  After the swim session we headed over to the USA House and had a GREAT meal.  They had hamburgers, hot dogs, crab cakes and BROWNIES!  We were able to get a 10 minute massage and then headed over to the Bodhi House where we received a 90 minute massage for $20.00.  There were 11 of us – my mom, my sister, Erik, and a friend from Visa and his family, Mark and Susie W. and myself and Bob (my husband).  There were 5 of us in a room and the rest in another.  We were pulled, yanked and my mom had both legs shaken up and down.  It was awesome; I have never been so relaxed in my life.

After a zen afternoon we headed to the YaSho Market.  There were 6 floors of haggling to conquer and great deals to be had.  Bob and I got a phenomenal deal on 3 silk robes and 4 canisters of Jasmine Tea.  Before we left we decided to seek out some children’s DVD’s for Taylor and Connor.  We were told that the best DVD’s were upstairs on the 6^th floor. 

A nice woman told us to look for the man sitting in a corner next to 2 doors and to ask to be taken up the elevator.  Bob and I found the man and were refused multiple times.  With my persistence to get the kids DVD’s we eventually made it up.  We were led down a dark hallway into an elevator and up to the 6^th floor.  The door opened and we were led down another dark hallway and into a small room that had DVD’s lined along all the walls.  Long story short no princess DVD’s.

As the rain poured down outside, the group headed back to the hotel and passed by The Forbidden Palace and Tiananmen Square.  I had about 10 minutes to run upstairs to freshen up and back to the pool we go. 

Tonight was the 100 fly prelims and it was a F-A-S-T race.  Michael is seeded 2^nd going into semi-finals and is looking strong.  Tomorrow morning he has the 200 IM final and the 100 fly semi-final.  The Olympics have been unbelievable and there are records falling left and right and lots of memories that are in the making. 

I am so happy that I have been able to be a part of this.  I am in awe of my baby brother and as I sit here and watch him swim I realize that he has grown into a remarkable young man.  I am so very proud of him and cannot wait to see what the years ahead hold for him.  As DP says LOL.

-Whitney