phelps' amazing finish

It ain’t over...

’til it’s over.Michael Phelps' Miracle Finish in Beijing

Michael Phelps' amazing finish displayed in photos on the Sports Illustrated website.

Images and captions on the following eight

slides are from the SI webpage.

(8-16-08. Photos: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI).

Michael Phelps was in seventh place in the eight-man field after 50 meters. Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Phelps made a critical decision in the final meters to attempt another half-stroke while Serbiaʼs Milorad Cavic tried to glide to the finish.

Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

With less than a meter to go, Phelps still trailed Cavic and his only hope was to somehow out-touch the Serbian. Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Cavic was inches from stopping Phelpsʼ quest for eight gold medals as the American reached over the water for his final half-stroke.

Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Phelps brought his hands down through the water and touched the wall .01 seconds before Cavic finished his glide to the wall, swiping the gold medal and tyingMark Spitzʼ record of seven golds at one Olympics.

Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

As seen in this blowup from the previous frame, Cavic hadn't touched the wall yet. Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

The Serbian delegation filed a protest, but conceded that Phelps won after reviewing the tape provided by FINA, swimmingʼs governing body.

Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Phelps won the same event in similar fashion at the 2004 Olympics, out-touching American Ian Crocker after trailing and winning the gold by .04 seconds.

Photo: Heinz Kluetmeier/SI

Michael Phelps with his 7th gold medal.

(He’d go on to win an amazing

8th gold medal in Beijing.)

• See original slideshow on Sports Illustrated website.