Phelps leaves talk of records to others

BEIJING, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Swimming superstar Michael Phelps said Wednesday he would leave talk of breaking Olympic records to other people and would simply try to swim fast in Beijing.

The American has a chance to win what would be a record eight gold medals this month and his appearance attracted a huge crowd at a pre-Olympic news conference.

"You guys are the ones talking about records. I'm not saying anything," Phelps said to the international gathering. "I'm just going through what I have to do, preparing myself the best way I can to compete as fast as I can.

"I haven't said anything about going after any record. I'm just going out there and trying to do something that I want to do."

The record for most gold medals won in a single Olympics is held by Mark Spitz. He captured seven swimming golds at the Munich Games in 1972.

Phelps will swim in five individual events and three relays. His first competition comes Saturday in the qualifying heats for the 400-meter individual medley.

"Walking out the first day for the prelim and being in that atmosphere is what I'm looking forward to," Phelps said.