Phelps swims into history with eighth gold

(L-R) Phelps, Hansen, Lezak and Peirsol hold up their gold medals.

(BEIJING, August 17) -- American Michael Phelps won his eighth and final gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics with a world record swim by the United States team in the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay. The win brings Phelps' 14th career Olympic gold, five more than any other athlete in Olympic history.

Phelps along with teammates Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen and Jason Lezak clocked 3:29.34, lowering their world record time of 3:30.68 set in Athens 2004. The US team had gone into the race as defending Olympic champions and fastest qualifiers.

Also swimming below the previous record, the Australian team took silver at 3:30.04. Japan claimed the bronze medal in 3:31.18.

Phelps also surpasses the record Mark Spitz (USA) set in Munich 1972 for the most gold medals won at a single Olympic Games.