Originally published Sunday, October 5, 2008 at 12:00 AM
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People in Sports | Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps: The record-setting Olympian was honored by his hometown of Towson, Md., on Saturday with a parade attended by thousands...
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Michael Phelps: The record-setting Olympian was honored by his hometown of Towson, Md., on Saturday with a parade attended by thousands eager to pay homage to the swim star.
Phelps was the focal point of the "Parade of Gold," which served as a homecoming for Maryland's Olympic heroes, most notably the swimmer who won a record-setting eight gold medals at the Beijing Games this summer.
An estimated 5,000 people attended the event, according to Baltimore County police.
Wearing sunglasses, jeans, a T-shirt and a brightly colored jacket, Phelps waved to admiring fans from within an open-air military vehicle on a gorgeous autumn afternoon. Those in attendance waited months to show their affection for the Baltimore native, whose haul in China raised to 14 his career gold medals.
Lining the 1 ½-mile route, many onlookers held red, white and blue signs. Participants in the parade passed under a large American flag strung between the ladders of two fire trucks.
"He's an amazing person because he won eight gold medals and beat Mark Spitz's record," said Caroline Dill, 13, who was in position with four friends more than three hours before the parade began. "Plus, he's from here."
The parade also honored swimmer Katie Hoff, who won three Olympic medals, and Special Olympians and Paralympians.
The Associated Press
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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