Parties You Will Never Get Into

After ditching the pool for more terrestrial frolic, Michael Phelps and his waterborne compatriots united for a party thrown by their swimwear sponsor, Speedo on August 19, 2008. It was the last day of the swimming contests in the Beijing Olympics.

Wish, a swish Beijing restaurant and nightclub, was the setting for the revelry attended by some 700 guests. Swimming legends, old and new, paraded on the red carpet leading to the bar and, ultimately, the VIP area upstairs.

For a legendary few, the party was a time to let victory sink in, out of the water. Surely that was the case for Phelps, now the greatest Olympian ever with 14 gold medals. The swimming juggernaut arrived at the club wearing an unassuming white shirt and a cap.

He emerged out of the Water Cube with his eighth Olympic gold medal, trumping Mark Spitz’s seven from the 1972 Munich Games. For 36 years, Spitz’s record had stood as the biggest gold rush in a single Olympics. With his assault at the Beijing Games, Phelps snapped up seven world records no less.

Ian Thorpe, the “Thorpedo” and one of Australia’s greatest swimming bets, was on hand at Wish to congratulate the 23-year old. Legendary US swimmer Janet Evans was also there to rub elbows with younger athletes.

“Thorpedo” was joined by present Aussie swimming greats like Grant Hackett and Leisel Jones, who openly declared that the Beijing Olympics was better than the 200 Sydney Games. Comely compatriot Stephenie Rice looked every bit the swimming goddess in the party. She remarked she had bought six more dresses for her last days in Beijing.

If truth be told, the party could be the first time these girls were able to wear makeup. Natalie Coughlin and Dara Torres sure looked great getting dolled up for the evening.

The sight of swimming athletes was complemented by heavyweights from the US basketball Dream Team, including Lebron James and Kobe Bryant. Bryant could be seen gabbing with Michael Phelps during the party.