As the American phenom bids to be the first man ever to win eight gold medals, espnstar.com tracks his path to glory.

By Kelvin Leong

The question on everyone's lips is whether Michael Phelps will create history by becoming the first athlete to win eight gold medals at the Olympics.

Can he do it? Keep it here to find out!

Day: Two
Event: Men's 400m Individual Medley

The first of many events for the American swimmer and he did not disappoint.

Shaving 1.41 seconds off his own world record with a time of 4:03:84, he stepped up to the podium with tears in his eyes as this was one of the events that was touted as a possible obstacle to his eight goal target.

One down, seven to go.

Day: Three
Event: Men's 4X100m Freestyle Relay

The world held its breath as the American swimmers were kept at bay in second position by the French quartet of Amaury Leveaux, Fabien Gilot, Frederick Bousquet and Alain Bernard all the way to the third swimmer.

The Americans were lagging by a body length going into the final leg of the relay when Jason Lezak dived in and had the swim of his life.

Lezak kicked off the wall on the 50 meter mark and stormed home to a nail-biting finish to touch the wall to ensure his compatriot's eight goal milestone was kept intact.

Two down, six to go.

Analysis

Espnstar.com's very own Olympic swimmer, Steve Akers, who swam at the 1992 Olympic Games gave his take on the American swim sensation's potential record breaking feat.

"I think the Men's 100m Fly event will be a potential obstacle. Phelps will be up against the world record holder, Ian Crocker.

"Also, the team relays will be another part of it that could spoil his chances. He will have to rely on his teammates and people can get disqualified in these relays. It is out of his hands." said Akers.

Remaining events for Phelps
Aug 12 - Men's 200m Freestyle
Aug 13 - Men's 4X200m Freestyle Relay
Aug 13 - Men's 200m Butterfly
Aug 15 - Men's 200m Individual Medley
Aug 16 - Men's 100m Butterfly
Aug 17 - Men's 4X100m Medley relay