At Lucas Oil Stadium, where Team USA is gearing up for the Paris Olympics, Day 7 of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials was buzzing with excitement as the legendary Michael Phelps made a grand appearance. The Baltimore Bullet joined Dan Hicks and Rowdy Gaines in the commentary booth, ramping up the thrill of competition.

His presence added an extra spark, especially when it was announced that Phelps would return to the París La Défense Arena broadcast booth for the Paris Olympics. After an evening filled with excitement and memorable performances, three-time Olympic gold medalist and swimming veteran Rowdy Gaines delivered an iconic moment with Phelps that further stirred up Olympic fervor and nostalgia among fans.

Rowdy Gaines and Michael Phelps throw it back to 2008

Taking to Instagram, Rowdy Gaines shared a three-picture carousel post featuring himself and Dan Hicks posing with Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones, and Jason Lezak—the legendary members of the “greatest relay in Olympic history.” The second image showed Kyle Sockwell joining the legends, and the final picture had a fun twist with a cutout of Garrett Weber-Gale, another key member of that epic race. In his caption, Rowdy wrote, “My most asked question is, “Rowdy, what is your most favorite race you have ever called?” And honestly, I have so many I would put on my Mt. Rushmore of races. But really, if it’s only one, its the 2008 Men’s 4×100 meter free. “

He cherished this race not only for the race itself but also for the dramatic elements, including the rivalry with France and the incredible finish. Rowdy shared how he appreciated the opportunity to revisit that moment 16 years later and to see how the swimmers had grown into amazing men, husbands, and fathers. He was happy they could make Kyle Sockwell’s dreams come true by including him in the frame. Rowdy ended his post by saying, “Garrett Weber-Gale you are with us all the time, my friend!!” As we look back on this heartwarming memory, let’s remember the epic men’s 4×100 meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The greatest swimming relay in Olympic history

The 2008 men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the Beijing Olympics is often called the greatest relay in Olympic history, and for good reason. The French team came in with immense confidence, led by Alain Bernard, who held the world record in the 100-freestyle at the time and boldly declared they planned to “smash” the Americans. Australia took an early lead, but it quickly turned into a face-off between the French and the Americans.

Michael Phelps kicked things off for the U.S. with a 47.5 split, breaking the American record, though Australia’s Eamon Sullivan set a new world record right next to him. Garrett Weber-Gale followed with a solid 47.0 split, and Cullen Jones added a 47.6, but France’s Freddy Bousquet fired back with a blazing 46.6 split. By the third leg, it looked like France had it in the bag, with Jason Lezak diving to full body length behind Bernard. But in the last 35 meters, everything changed.

Bernard started to fade, and Lezak began to close the gap. The final 10 meters were absolutely wild, with Lezak still behind at 5 meters to go. But somehow, in the fastest 100-meter split in swimming history of 46.06 seconds, Lezak pulled off the impossible and led the US to win the gold, delivering a race that will never be forgotten. Reflecting on this nostalgic moment sparked by Rowdy Gaines, what are your thoughts about Phelps’ presence at the Paris Olympics? Share below!