Michael Phelps (US) who won his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 4x100m medley on Sunday, breaking the record for most in a single Games.

Age: 23 (date of birth: June 30, 1985)

Place of birth: Baltimore, United States

US swimmer Michael Phelps swims during the men's 4 x 100m medley relay swimming final at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 17, 2008. Michael Phelps became the first man to win eight gold medals at the same Olympics when the US won the men's 4x100m medley relay final in a new world record time. [Agencies]

2008 Olympic results:

Eight gold medals (400m individual medley, 4x100m freestyle relay, 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly, 4x200 freestyle relay, 200m individual medley, 100m butterfly, 4x100 medley relay)

Career achievements:

Seven gold medals at 2007 World Championships (200m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x100 freestyle relay and 4x200 freestyle relay)

Five gold medals at 2005 World Championships (200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, 4x100 freestyle relay, 4x200 freestyle relay, 4x100 medley relay)

Four gold medals at 2003 World Championships (200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x100 medley relay)

One gold medal at 2001 World Championships (200m butterfly)

Previous Olympic results:

Six gold medals at 2004 Olympics (100m butterfly, 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 400m individual medley, 4x200 freestyle relay, 4x100 medley relay)

Two bronze medals at 2004 Olympics (200m freestyle, 4x100 freestyle relay)

Phelps is the most successful Olympian of all time with a career tally of 14 golds, five more than anyone else.

He broke fellow American Mark Spitz's 1972 record of seven wins at a single Games after coming close to matching his mark at Athens four years ago when he collected six golds.

He has an unusual physique with a long torso and comparatively short legs, providing minimal resistance in the water.

His sister Whitney was a member of the US World Championship team in 2005.

Phelps and his mother

Who's Phelps' girl?

Phelps' lil inspiration from Wayne