updated 1:47 p.m. ET Aug. 30, 2004

ATHENS, Greece - Michael Phelps barely had time to savor eight medals from these Olympics when the questions began about 2008.

So, are you going to take another shot at Mark Spitz’s record in Beijing?

Stay tuned.

The icon of the Athens Games began enjoying the spoils of his triumph Sunday, taking part in a promotional appearance to unveil a new TV commercial that will soon air back in the States.

For now, the world is clearly at his enormous feet. When Phelps began tugging at his shirt on another sweltering Greek day — “Man, it’s hot up here,” he said from the stage — someone immediately appeared with a soft drink to cool him down.

No one was hotter in the pool than Phelps, who tied the record for medals at one Olympics with six golds and two bronzes. The only thing that eluded him: Spitz’s record of seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games.

Phelps’ coach, Bob Bowman, already has suggested this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The swimmer is only 19 — at the peak of his career when it comes to recovering from multiple events (he raced 17 times in seven days at Athens). In four years, Phelps will probably be more muscular, his body a little less receptive to the strain of such a grueling schedule.

But the kid from Baltimore has dreamed big before. No need to stop now.

“A lot of things can happen in four years,” Phelps said. “I wouldn’t count anything out.”

Not surprisingly, the Americans again ruled the Olympic pool, winning 12 golds and 28 medals overall. Still, there were plenty of ups and downs along the way, keeping the team from matching its 14-gold, 33-medal performance in Sydney four years ago.

Brendan Hansen, the world-record holder in both breaststroke events, failed to win gold in either. The American men were shut out of the 100-meter freestyle when Jason Lezak and Ian Crocker flopped in the preliminaries. Lindsay Benko didn’t make the final of her signature event.

Of course, there were plenty of red, white and blue highlights.

Natalie Coughlin won five medals, equaling the most by an American female swimmer at one games. Klete Keller held off Australia’s Ian Thorpe in an 800-meter free relay that will go down as one of the greatest races in Olympic history, and Gary Hall Jr. defended his title in the 50 free.

Aaron Peirsol swept the backstroke events and claimed three gold medals overall, although he did get a scare when he was initially disqualified after an easy win in the 200 back (the decision was quickly overturned).

On the international side, Thorpe had another stellar games, matching the five medals he won in Sydney and ensuring his legacy as one of the greatest swimmers in history.

Another Aussie, Petria Thomas, won three golds and a bronze. Kosuke Kitajima took a pair of golds in the breaststroke and helped Japan win a relay medal, as well. The Dutch stars, Pieter van den Hoogenband and Inge de Bruijn, combined for seven medals. The South Africans pulled off a stunning upset in the men’s 400 free relay. Ukraine’s Yana Klochkova swept the women’s individual medleys.

For all the remarkable performances, no one came close to Phelps.

He was on top of his game from the very first event, setting a world record in the 200 individual medley. But he saved his best performance for the end, giving up a well-earned spot in the 400 medley relay final so teammate Ian Crocker could make up for a poor swim in an earlier race.

“That’s what type of person Michael is,” Bowman said.

What does the future hold? Phelps plans to move to Michigan before the end of the year so he can stay with Bowman, who has taken a job as the Wolverines’ swimming coach. Phelps also intends to enroll in college, though he’s set financially and will continue to compete as a professional.

“It’s going to be a change of lifestyle,” said Phelps, who still lives at home with his mother. “It’s something I look forward to. It’s my first opportunity to get out and experience the real world.”

As for the immediate future, Phelps plans to spend the next week in Athens, attending other events and taking part in the closing ceremony. He’s also eager to get back home, where quite a reception is brewing.

Already, he’s heard that people are putting signs in their yards to tout his eight medals.

“I miss my car, my house, my cat. I miss everything about home,” Phelps said. “It will be exciting to be back.”

When asked what he might do with the financial rewards of his amazing Olympics, Phelps showed he’s still just a teenager. He looked nervously at his mother before revealing that he’s been thinking about a new sound system for his beloved Cadillac Escalade, already tricked out with televisions and a video game.

Debbie Phelps doubled over in laughter but didn’t protest.

Looks like her son will get his way again.

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