Michael Phelps: 5 Reasons US Olympic Swimming Superstar Is Still Best in World

Michael Phelps single-handedly put the sport of swimming on the map for in the United States with his record-breaking medal performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Since then he has seen fewer headlines but has not lost his title as the best swimmer on the face of the earth.

Here are the five reasons why Phelps is still king of the swimming world.

2008 Olympics Performance

The 2008 Olympic performance by Michael Phelps will not be forgotten considering the records he broke and the dominance he showed.

It was four years ago, sure. That doesn't mean it should be exspunged from Phelps' career. Despite heavy competition from the likes of Australia and France in Beijing, the Subway spokesman put together eight gold medal victories, more than any other swimmer in history.

The French and Australians, as well as the rest of the world have not forgotten about the beastly '08 showing by Phelps and is a measurement of just how special an athlete he is.

Recent World Championships Dominance

Considering it's been four years since those magical days in China for Phelps, one might think he'd be showing some signs of regression. That just hasn't been the case for the Baltimore-born Olympian.

While he participated in only three individual events during the 2009 World Championships, Phelps won gold in five of his six events, earning silver in the 200-meter freestyle.

2011's World Championships saw less gold come Phelps' way, but he earned medals in every event he competed. He would finish first in four of his seven events, taking home two silvers and a bronze in the final three.

Even at the age of 27, Phelps is showing no real signs of falling from grace anytime soon.

Skill Hasn't Diminished with Age

As mentioned in the previous slide, Phelps is closer to the end of his career than his prime, but that doesn't mean he's become a slouch in the pool.

Quite the opposite has happened actually, with his World Championships success already noted along with his performance in other events.

What was Phelps doing in between the 2009 and 2011 World Championships you ask? What he does best (next to Charlie Sheen): winning.

The swimmer was the highlight of the 2010 Pan Pacific Championships where he took home gold in three team events and two individual contests.

Phelps defeated top contenders Takuro Fujii of Japan and Australian Nick D'Arcy to capture the 100- and 200-meter butterfly gold respectively.

There are likely some swimming enthusiasts sick of all the publicity Phelps gets these days, but he kind of deserves it.

Biggest Competition Is Fellow Team USA Member Ryan Lochte

Perhaps the most troubling fact for the rest of the world heading into London is the fact the only true challenger to Phelps' throne is his teammate Ryan Lochte.

Lochte and Phelps have been battling it out during the U.S. Olympic swimming trials, making it clear to the rest of the world they're still the two to beat. Lochte and Phelps have 15 gold medals between them over the last two World Championships and easily have the most momentum heading into the 2012 games.

The two have been swimming with or against one another for years upon years now, which means that nobody is more familiar with Lochte than Phelps and vice versa.

While Lochte is certainly worthy of consideration when talking about the world's best active swimmer, he's only just recently begun to outdo Phelps. On top of that, the two men are both wearing the same flag on their caps at the end of the day, so it's a victory for Team USA regardless.

Experience

There will be plenty of first-time Olympic swimmers from across the world coming to London for the Summer Games, but Phelps is clearly no stranger to the upcoming proceedings.

Phelps will enter the upcoming games holding the U.S. title for most Olympic appearances representing the national swimming team.

I've made it loud and clear just how impressive Phelps was during the Beijing Games in 2008, but even during his first Team USA appearance back in 2004, he dominated the competition.

At 19 years old, Phelps was able to take home six gold medals during the 2004 Athens Games, just two shy of his eventual world record.

He excelled in the 200-meter butterfly where he set an Olympic record with his time of 1 minute and 54.04 seconds, defeating Japan's Takashi Yamamato by .52 seconds for first place.

Phelps has done little more in his career than win, there's really no other way to say it. He understands what it takes to shine on the world's biggest stage, and based on his prior Olympics and World Championships experience, Phelps will be able to shine one last time in London.