Michael Phelps Does ‘Sports Illustrated’ Magazine
It should come as *no surprise* that Sports Illustrated magazine has chosen to put 14-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps, on the cover of their new issue … in fact, they hardly let the man dry off after winning his 8th Gold Medal at these 2008 Summer Olympic Games before they snapped his cover photo. Here is Phelps’s latest SI cover, which pays homage to a very famous, classic photo of 7-time Gold Medal winner at the 1972 Olympic Games, Mark Spitz:
It was the obvious cover shot. Whenever Sports Illustrated group editor Terry McDonell talked about Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ quest for eight gold medals, he was asked if the mag would do “the picture.” “They always said, ‘You know, the one like Mark Spitz with all the medals,’” McDonell laughed. “It was certainly an idea that occurred to us.” On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated will unveil its exclusive photo on newsstands across the country. On the cover, a grinning and bare-chested Phelps, 23, displays eight medals splayed across his chest in a nod to the man whose record he broke. “It is not lost on me that [the Spitz picture] is one of the most popular and iconic photos in all of sports,” McDonell said. McDonell said the cover was a way to visually and instantly portray the “dominant” story of the week. “This is about Michael going forward,” McDonell said. “This is an image that our readers and others will remember.”
And, in case you’re not familiar with Spitz’s iconic image, here it is for comparison:
To be totally honest, I think I have to give the hawtness edge to Mark Spitz … the sexy porn ’stache (which was so in vogue in the early 70’s) really works for him … but at least Phelpsie can content himself with having won more Gold Medals ;) After the jump, check out all of the Sports Illustrated magazine covers that Michael Phelps has appeared on (there are 6 total) …
Phelps makes a pretty good coverboy, no? I suspect we may be seeing him on quite a few more magazine covers … and, most likely, a Wheaties box, too. I totally love that the University of Michigan (where Phelps trained for the Beijing Olympic Games) got props on the College Issue cover cuz, you know, U of M rocks!
Tags: Mark Spitz, Michael Phelps, Sports Illustrated Magazine
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August 19th, 2008 at 8:16 am
I’m sorry but I so do not think Michael Phelps is hot in any way. An outstanding athlete, yes! A role model, perhaps. A seemingly down-to-earth sorta guy, definitely. But sexy??? Sorry, but no! IMO, of course.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Wow I just love this guy & all his accomplishments!! But I do agree, porn stache always wins.
And of course, who doesn’t love U of M (I went there)? Too bad I’m older than Michael & didn’t run into him on campus.
Go Blue & Go Phelps! :)
August 19th, 2008 at 8:19 am
I have to agree he’s not sexy…when he’s smiling…I do think he’s sexy with his swim cap, goggles, and mouth closed…but thats imo as well
August 19th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Jane,
Being sexy doesnt always have to do with overt good looks. In fact, some of the sexiest people I know are sexy because of the things they do, the people they are, NOT b/c they have great bodies. Michael Phelps is “SO SEXY!!!” BECAUSE of all the things that you mentioned. He’s an incredible athlete and a good role model. He’s trying to do for swimming what Tiger Woods did for golf - bring it main stream. And THAT is why he’s sexy. Take Angelina Jolie…she had that smokin bod for years, but she didnt become truly SEXY until she started adoptin babies and being saintly. It’s her actions that have defined her hotness.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:23 am
I think I have posted before that Michael Phelps is hot from the neck down. I mean, that body - c’mon! I like ‘em long and lean!!! But - he has an unfortunately shaped head (square), ears that stick out, a jaw that is a little TOO square, and f-ed up teeth. Someone referred to him as Frankenstein on another blog, and unfortunately I think it’s a nickname that fits… but I still love the guy for his talent, dedication, abs, etc.
August 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Thank you Daron, that was nicely put, and so very true in Michael Phelps’ case!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:25 am
I don’t think he is that good looking either but he is bad ass to the bone! He kicks some serious ass and I love him for that. He represents America so well! Rock on MP. You are a national hero!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I don’t think the picture of him with all the medals is hot (advantage - Mark Spitz)… but the one above it with the goggles on his head is pretty nice. Maybe it’s the longer hair? And the fact that his mouth is closed?
August 19th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I think he’s hot. ;)
August 19th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I dunno what exactly it is about Phelps, but he does it for me. Now I’m not sayin he looks great on that cover, but I deffo like lookin at it!
August 19th, 2008 at 8:40 am
hot bod, not so hot face. major butterface but incredibly talented ;)
August 19th, 2008 at 9:09 am
GO BLUE! oh, and michael, too. he’s awesome.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:34 am
When he swims I forgot what he looks like and my crush for him takes over.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:45 am
I think he’s the kind of guy that if he was dating your sister you would be happy about it (even without the medals). He just seems like a really nice guy from what you see on tv.
And the fact he’s incredibly cute? Bonus
August 19th, 2008 at 9:49 am
I thought Phelpsie was wearing a halter top for a second. Whew…it’s just his shiney 8 gold medals.
I don’t think he’s the greatest looking guy in the world, but I’m all about the swimmers and they’re all sexy as hell…those bodies? Yes please! He seems like an awesome guy..very well spoken and a hell of a competitor.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 am
role model? not quite. everyone has conveniently forgotten his underage d.u.i. after the last olympics. still, congrats to him for rallying.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I think Michael Phelps is a good role model for teenagers… yes he did get a DUI but he has learned from his mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes.
I have been a fan of Phelps for some time now… being a swimmer you have know about Michael Phelps for some time now. And I think he is cute…not sexy but cute!
And Flordia State is better than U of M… (I swim for Flordia State)! =)
August 19th, 2008 at 10:19 am
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August 19th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Yeah, he’s not hot. He reminds me of Screech from Saved By the Bell.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:31 am
i totally thought he was wearing a halter top too! yikes.
August 19th, 2008 at 10:58 am
He’s hot if he doesn’t open his jibbs.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Mark Spitz was/is an arrogant ass. Michael Phelps personality alone makes him way sexier.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:16 am
I love his personality and I just want to pinch is cheeks!
I don’t think Mark Spitz looks hot, but for some reason that picture is sexy. I think its the ’stache and the chains.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
It looks like they took the worst shot of him ever for the cover. The older covers are even better. Hell I’ve seen candid shots of where he actually looks hot, but in the latest SI he looks like a complete dweeb…and his completely banging body is hidden!! what the hell, you’d think they were trying not to sell issues or something! Anyways i’ve been watching some interviews with him lately, he’s such a cutie, big smile not to cocky.
August 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Yo pienso que es Hermoso miren ese pecho por diosss
August 19th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I am so glad to see that other people thought Phelps was wearing a halter of some sort. Why are the medals on ribbons now? The chains are much cooler!
August 19th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Apparently the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” because I think he IS cute, hot, sexy, what-have-you. It’s not just the body. I like his face and could listen to his voice all day! (Ok, well maybe not ALL day b/c I can’t stand to hear and one person all day everyday, but I digress.) I’d take him if he’d have me!
August 19th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
RYAN LOCHTE is the real HOTTIE!!!
But Phelps is a true down-to-earth champion.
August 19th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
OK…I have to break up this party and say GO BUCKEYES! And go Phelps too of course!
August 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
I can’t think about his body without physically shuddering from the sexiness. If y’all don’t want him…he can come to me!
August 19th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
GO BLUE & PHELPSIE!!!
August 19th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Michael Phelps is sexy!!! GO MICHAEL! woot! =]
August 19th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
i agree, Mark is the sexy one, the other guy looks like he’s been beaten with the fugly stick one too many times, he’s got a great body but he’s just not that attractive to look at especially when he smiles..
August 19th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
[...] Michael Phelps Does ‘Sports Illustrated’ Magazine [...]
August 19th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
LOOKS LIKE IT WAS MADE WITH PHOTOSHOP. LOOK UNDER HIS ARMS. BAD.
IT WAS FUN TO WATCH HIM SWIM, THAT’S FOR SURE :)
August 19th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I totally agree that Spitz has a bit more of the hotness edge but I loved how they cropped Phelps photo on the bottom. That area below the bellybutton, sure leaves a lot to the imagination…. ;)
Regardless, they are both outstanding Olympians!!!
August 20th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Christ-on-a-bike you people!
Michael Phelps is hot from the scalp down!
How can you say he is ugly?
Oh and TY Jebus
Notice the biggest diff between Spitz and Phelps cover?
Hairless is the new pink.
Trent you did WAY better covering Phelps SI cover
because you compared it to the Spitz cover.
This is why I link you.
THIS is why I keep coming back.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:21 am
mark spitz ,win on the looks department, even if the pictures was done in 70´s,better looking.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Has anybody ever noticed that Michael Phelps spends a lot of his time destroying the air with his voice? He’s always all “YEEAH!!”
My siblings and I find it quite amusing.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:51 am
My first reaction to Michael Spitz’ pic was [ my God he's hot]!!
Wow I’ve heard a lot about him this Olympic, but had never seen any of his pics. Until now.
Spitz hands-down took the gold on sexyness.
August 20th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
phelps is not the most smokin’ man on the planet, but he looks like he’s much much less of a douchebag than spitz. his geekiness definitely adds to his charm. fyi, he got teased for his big ears as a kid– i think it builds character.
August 21st, 2008 at 8:26 am
ha!
phelps wins hands down.
on EVERYTHING.
i mean come on??
-he’s a great athlete
-he’s got a great body
-he seems like a really nice guy
and to top it off, he’s adorable.
August 22nd, 2008 at 4:38 am
Hey guys, stop the issue about the “sexy” thing. Let’s be proud of Phelps. He is on the cover of the magazine because he’s a great athlete and there’s no doubt about it.
September 5th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
can i still get the box with him on it?