The Official Tracy Mattes Website

One of the greatest parts of the Olympic Games is that it gives you a rare opportunity to take part and witness "moments in time" that you will never forget. The excitement and emotions of these moments remain vivid in your heart and mind forever.

I have had the good fortune to have experienced many of these moments during the six Olympic Games I have attended. In Beijing, a few moments stood out for me. I had the "golden" opportunity to witness one of the most incredible moments in sports history: when Michael Phelps earned his unprecedented eighth Olympic gold medal of the 2008 Olympics. I remember every moment of it. The sound inside the Water Cube, (which by the way was one of the coolest sports buildings I've ever seen), was thundering & deafening. The excitement was incredible and infectious, everyone left there feeling on top of the world; and every American felt an overwhelming sense of National Pride.

He did it!! An emotional Michael Phelps kisses the medal that etched his name into Olympic History forever.

Michael Phelps gives it his all!

After the Race, we were able to get a more private moment with Michael as he joined us at our Olympians Reunion Center at Prince Jun Palace for a Press Event and to shoot the cover of Sports Illustrated. While Michael was relaxed at the Olympians Reunion Center, he was a bit overwhelmed when he walked into the Press Conference and nearly got tackled. The Press & Photographers could not contain their excitement as Michael walked in. The LA Times described the scene best:

"Phelps strolled into the Prince Jun Palace in Chaoyang Park for a promotional news conference with Visa after completing his quest of winning eight gold medals in a single Olympics, and before he got halfway to the stage, a sea of photographers and reporters surged toward him like the Pittsburgh Steelers defense performing an all-out blitz" (LA Times)

I guess you can't really blame the press for their excitement. The entire world celebrated this historic moment. Michael, being the down to earth, nice guy that he is, was a great sport and took it all in stride.

After winning his 8th gold medal, Michael Phelps joined us at the Olympian's Reunion Center at the Prince Jun Palace to meet the press & shoot the cover of Sports Illustrated	Michael Phelps with Tracy at the Olympians Reunion Center at Prince Jun Palace after winning his historic 8th gold medal
Michael was relaxed inside the Olympians Reunion Center, but got a bit overwhelmed when he was nearly tackled by reporters and photographers when he walked into the Press Conference.