Today in history, on August 13, 2008, U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won two gold medals in the Beijing Olympics in under an hour. He didn’t just win the gold; he shattered records in both events. By August 17th, he captured his eighth medal, breaking the 36-year-old record of seven.

Phelps’s journey to his historic achievements was not an easy one. He had to swim a staggering 17 races in nine days to secure eight medals. This was a testament to his intense training and unwavering commitment. His partnership with his coach, Bob Bowman, which began when he was just ten years old, was a key factor in his success. At 15, Phelps became the youngest male swimmer on the U.S. Olympic team in 68 years. Bowman started preparing Phelps for the 2008 Beijing Olympics several years in advance. Their training regimen was famously known as ‘Eat, Sleep, Swim,’ and it’s said that Phelps consumed a staggering 10,000-12,000 calories a day.

Phelps’s first event on August 13 was the 200-meter butterfly. Midway through the race, his goggles filled with water, effectively blinding him for the rest of the race. Despite this daunting challenge, he emerged victorious, winning his fourth gold medal and setting a new record of 1:52.03. His next event was less than an hour later; he swam the first leg of the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. The U.S. team won Phelps his fifth gold medal with a new record of 6:58.56. Spectators were left in awe at his ability to overcome such a significant obstacle and earn two gold medals within an hour.

Michael Phelps retired after competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He earned 28 total Olympic medals during his career, making him the most decorated individual athlete in history. Phelps’s talent, dedication, and motivation awed and inspired millions.