Here and there.

While Michael Phelps returns to Baltimore for recovery, we check out at what is happening in the swimming world with regards to him!

Did Eminem really sent a CD package to Michael Phelps? Yes, it is true.

Amanda Beard says this of him: "I open up US Weekly, and I see this boy inside. You haven't seen that in swimming very often."

Michael Phelps had declined to give details of the injury. This is the first time an injury has interfered with his career.

"I honestly don't think this is a big issue."

Nearly 60,000 tickets had been sold for the five days of the World Short Course Championships, probably because of his appearance.

But he realises the fickleness of fame.

"If the stardom dies down, the stardom dies down," Phelps said. "I'm looking forward to getting my life somewhat back to normal. This whole run has been exciting."

Right now, Michael Phelps is more than willing to return to his home, something he hasn't done since July 2nd.
He wants to:
1. Find out what Eminem sent him
2. Shop for a new car (he's eyeing on a Range Rover)
3. And pack up to join his coach, Bob Bowman, at the University of Michigan as an volunteer assistant.
"I'm going to follow Bob wherever he goes."

4. Compete in at least one more Olympics.
5. Get a British bulldog, as soon as he figures out how to manage it with his swimming committments.

By the time the 2004 Olympics began, Phelps had been on the cover of Time, Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated for Kids, the New York Times Magazine, ESPN the Magazine, Parade, TV Guide and Communication Arts, a photography annual. He also appeared in advertising in those magazines and on television.

His coach, Bob Bowman, says this of Michael Phelps' performance in Athens "I think about not only how well he performed in race after race, but how close he really came to the Holy Grail. I mean, really close."

Said Olympic finalist Rick Say of Canada, runner-up to Phelps in the 200 freestyle here: "He is the greatest swimmer the world has ever seen."

His swimming commitments the next four years have yet to be decided. Phelps already has mentioned the possibility of trying for seven golds again in 2008.

"Things happen for a reason," Phelps said of missing by one gold medal. "This is going to motivate me the next four years, the way 2000 made me do what I did this time."

Going after multiple medals again may present different issues for an older Phelps, even if he will be only 23 in 2008.

"I don't think he'll be able to do it when he gets near 25," said Slovakia's Martina Moravcova, 28, another swimming workhorse and double medalist at the 2000 Olympics. "He will be able to do it mentally but not physically."

"One of the biggest things that struck me was how fast it went by in Athens," Phelps said. "It wasn't a feeling of, 'Is that all there is?' because we sucked in everything we could. But when we finished swimming, Lenny and I looked at each other and said, `Our four years of preparing for this are over."

Lenny Krayzelburg, calls him, Ian Crocker and Michael Phelps', "Aqua Beatles" due to the overwhelming popularity of Disney's Swim with the Stars tour.

"It was pandemonium in some places," Matt Townsend said. "Little girls would be screaming at the bus, and one day Michael asked a bodyguard if he could throw something to the kids. He tossed out a Sharpie and a towel, and guys were pushing the girls out of the way to get them."

Townsend has been Phelps' buddy for 10 years. They graduated from high school together. The swimmer invited Townsend and another high school classmate, Corey Fick, to travel with the tour for two weeks.

"I was a little worried because Michael blew up into stardom so fast, really between the end of the Olympic trials (in mid-July) and the Olympics," Townsend said. "He talked to me before the Olympics about going on the tour and then, even after things got crazy, he told us to come. That shows you how down to earth he still is."

The only noticeable difference about Phelps is his hair. Grown out, it softens his appearance, diminishing the dominant effect of large ears on his angular face. During "Phelpstival," University of Maryland freshman Jen Markey told the Baltimore Sun, "He's hot."

After the festivities, Phelps was driving in stop-and-go traffic on the Baltimore Beltway when three girls in another car recognized his Cadillac Escalade. The next thing he knew, the girls were holding the Wheaties box cover featuring Phelps above the sun roof of their mini-van.

The boxes were passed to Phelps' car. He signed and passed them back.

Phelps got dozens of wedding "proposals" and some phone numbers in notes from fans during the Disney tour.

Well we continue to look forward to 2008!!!