Phelps Frame-By-Frame

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 24, 2012

Phelps Frame-By-Frame

Phelps' Miracle Finish

Michael Phelps was in big trouble in the 100-meter butterfly. He was seventh in the eight-man field after 50 meters.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

Phelps made a critical decision in the final meters to attempt another half-stroke while Serbia's Milorad Cavic (right) tried to glide to the finish.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

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

Phelps' Miracle Finish

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

Phelps' Miracle Finish

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 tying Mark Spitz' record of seven golds at one Olympics.

As seen in this blowup from the previous frame, Cavic hadn't touched the wall yet.

Phelps' Miracle Finish

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

Phelps Miracle Finish

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.