Michael Phelps owns the Olympics

Michael Phelps finally seems to be grasping what it all means. Maybe it started to sink in when the president showed up at the Water Cube and came back for an encore. Maybe he got a better idea when all those NBA superstars — Kobe Bryant and LeBron James among them — actually led the cheers for him. Maybe it was those relentless text messages from friends back home.

Maybe he actually listened when the race announcer at the pool said in a deep, authoritative voice: "Michael Phelps, greatest Olympian ever."

The head dipped. The shoulders twitched. The slightest of smiles creased his lips.

"Growing up, I always wanted to be an Olympian," Phelps said later. "I just kept thinking, 'Wow, greatest Olympian of all time.' It's a pretty cool title."

-Associated Press