To the surprise of absolutely no one, Michael Phelps was named Swimmer of the Year on Saturday by USA Swimming at the US Aquatic Sports Convention in Orlando. Phelps has won this award three times since 2001. Phelps, the most prolific Olympic medal winner since Russian gymnast Alexander Dityatin in 1980, will next be in action two weeks from now at the World Short Course Championships in Indianapolis.

Undertaking an ambitious program not unlike the one he swam in Athens, the eight-time Olympic medal winner will swim six events (100/200/400 IM, 200 free, 200 fly, 4x200 free relay) in Indy. With a total of sixteen potential swims including prelims and semifinals, Phelps will be busy each day of the five-day event.

A few more awards may be on tap for Phelps as USA Swimming presents its inaugural edition of the Golden Goggles Awards, a formal black-tie affair at the prestigious Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City to be held on November 15, 2004. Tickets are available for purchase by the general public in tables of eight, each of which run a cool $8,000.00.