Beijing Olympic Games

Bush praises Phelps on historic performance

CRAWFORD, TEXAS (TICKER) —Count President Bush as one of the many who were captivated by Michael Phelps’ performance in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

From his Texas ranch on Sunday, the President placed a long-distance call to congratulate the American swimming phenom, who was just hours removed from winning his record eighth gold medal in the men’s 400 medley relay.

“If you can handle eight gold medals, you can handle anything,” Bush reportedly told Phelps.

The 23-year-old Phelps also extended his record of career gold medals to 14, easily surpassing the nine won by Mark Spitz, Carl Lewis, Paavo Nurmi and Larissa Latynina.

A White House spokesman said that Bush told Phelps he handled himself with “humility” and that he and First Lady Laura Bush were proud of his achievements.