U.S. President George W. Bush sent his congratulations on Sunday to Michael Phelps, who has won for the U.S. eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games, said the White House.

American swimmer Michael Phelps broke Mark Spitz's record of gold medals in a single Olympics, set in Munich in 1972, after taking his eighth at the Beijing Games on Sunday.

The president told the U.S. Olympics through telephone "if you can handle eight gold medals, you can handle anything."

"Laura and I are proud of you. Our family is proud of you, but most importantly, America is proud of you," said Bush from his break at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

"We're excited for you. You handled yourself with humility," he said. "Give your mom a big hug for me. 41 (former President George H. W. Bush) and I were honored to get a picture with her."

The two spoke after the 23-year-old athlete won the 4x100m medley relay on Saturday night, adding to eight the gold medals he has won at the Beijing Olympic games and 14 the total number of medals he gas gained from Olympics.

Phelps overtook compatriot Mark Spitz, whose seven swimming golds at Munich in 1972, to become the Olympian who won the most gold medals at a single Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2008)