BBC Sportsportspersonality

AUGUST

For many the Beijing Olympics will be remembered for the superhuman efforts of Usain Bolt on the track and Michael Phelps in the pool.

Bolt, 22, broke the world records in both the 100m and 200m to claim both titles before helping the Jamaican 4x100m team to victory for his third Beijing gold.

American Phelps was in a league of his own as he won an astonishing eight swimming golds, breaking compatriot Mark Spitz's record of seven set at Montreal 1972.

If Phelps was a country he would have ranked joint ninth in the gold medal table - ahead of France.