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!
He’s hot if he doesn’t open his jibbs.
Mark Spitz was/is an arrogant ass. Michael Phelps personality alone makes him way sexier.
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.
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.
Yo pienso que es Hermoso miren ese pecho por diosss
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!
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!
RYAN LOCHTE is the real HOTTIE!!!
But Phelps is a true down-to-earth champion.
OK…I have to break up this party and say GO BUCKEYES! And go Phelps too of course!
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!
GO BLUE & PHELPSIE!!!
Michael Phelps is sexy!!! GO MICHAEL! woot! =]
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..
[...] Michael Phelps Does ‘Sports Illustrated’ Magazine [...]
LOOKS LIKE IT WAS MADE WITH PHOTOSHOP. LOOK UNDER HIS ARMS. BAD.
IT WAS FUN TO WATCH HIM SWIM, THAT’S FOR SURE :)
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!!!
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.
mark spitz ,win on the looks department, even if the pictures was done in 70´s,better looking.
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.
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.