Craig Daily Press

John Vandelinder

John Vandelinder's columns appear Tuesdays and Fridays in the Craig Daily Press. E-mail him at jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com

Craig — Last week, I jotted down 10 reasons to watch the Olympics, in the hopes that Craig residents would tune in and watch the United States kick some butt.

I don’t know if any of you listened, but I’ve personally had my television locked on the event all week.

If you’ve been watching, it’s been hard to miss the amazing feats of American swimmer Michael Phelps.

If not, let me fill you in.

I had the Phelps watch as the No. 10 reason to view the games.

I’m now changing that to the No. 1 reason to watch.

What seemed improbable before he hit the Water Cube in Beijing now seems a lock.

Phelps is attempting to win eight gold medals in eight events in the water, and he’s well on his way: six golds in his first six events, with six new world records in tow.

By the time you read this, the number could be seven — he competed in the 100-meter butterfly Friday evening (in U.S. time).

And he’s not just winning, he’s blowing away the competition.

Phelps picked up his sixth gold by winning the 200-meter individual medley by 2.29 seconds.

This is the Olympics, folks.

The best competition in the world is attempting to stop the 6-foot-4 fish disguised as a human, and their attempts are futile.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Phelps walk on the water while on his way to the podium when he picks up medal No. 8.

I wasn’t even that big of a swimming fan until I spent time with the Conci sisters during the Moffat County High School swimming season.

I thought to myself “Wow, those girls are really fast,” but compared to Phelps, they seem like the turtles I saw at the fair last week.

Phelps set the all-time record for individual medals won during the Olympics — his current haul at this year’s games gives him a record 14 in his career — and he’s one win away from tying American Mark Spitz for the most golds won at a single games, seven.

He tied Spitz on Thursday evening when he set his 33rd world record.

He’s on pace to shatter that record when he and his teammates compete in the 4x100 medley relay today.

He may not have webbed feet, gills or flippers, but Phelps has proved he owns the water.

Watching Phelps isn’t about whether or not you like swimming.

It’s about witnessing the greatest athlete the Olympic Games have ever seen.

If you haven’t tuned in, you’re missing out.