and 23 days--from July 23, 1908, until Phelps won his eighth on August 15, 2008 (followed by his ninth on August 16).

His record of winning three gold medals in one event, although it had subsequently been equaled by seven other athletes, was not surpassed for 60 years--from 1908 until Al Oerter won his fourth gold (discus throw) in 1968, a feat equaled by Carl Lewis when he won his fourth (long jump) in 1996, Michael Phelps when