New York, NY -- (Sports Network) - Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has been selected as Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year for 2008.

Phelps was the unquestioned star of the 2008 Beijing Olympics with his record- breaking performance. He won eight gold medals to set a new single-Olympiad mark, topping the old record of seven accomplished by Mark Spitz in the 1972 Munich Games.

In addition, Phelps was a part of seven world records and became the winningest Olympian ever with 14 gold medals.

"Michael Phelps as the 2008 Sportsman of the Year was the easiest choice I have made," said SI Group Editor Terry McDonell in the press release. "It is so obvious that he changed not only swimming, but also the entire Olympic landscape."

Phelps is the first swimmer honored with the magazine's prestigious honor.

Other Olympians to win the award included Bobby Joe Morrow in 1956, the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 1980, Edwin Moses and Mary Lou Retton in 1984, and Bonnie Blair and Johan Olav Koss in 1994.

The award is presented annually to the person or team who transcended the year in both athletic performance and character.