Michael Phelps jetted out of his Olympics of a lifetime Wednesday night, zooming into a future that includes newfound celebrity status, oodles of money and a possible redo four years from now at the London Games. The swimmer who won a historic eight gold medals and set seven world records in Beijing was departing on an overnight flight to London, where he'll help in the handover of the Summer Games from China to the 2012 host city during Sunday's closing ceremonies. Then he's going to steal away on a vacation. “I'm just taking everything step-by-step, enjoying the ride,” Phelps told The Associated Press in an interview hours before leaving. Since winning the last of his gold medals Sunday, Phelps has been on a whirlwind of sponsor and TV appearances in Beijing, and he's enjoyed some of the city's nightlife. The exhaustion was apparent in the 23-year-old champion's droopy eyes. “I really want to spend as much time with my friends and family as I can,” he said. “It's coming up on two months on the road. I want to be able to see them and just relax.” Phelps' world changed dramatically during his 2-1/2 weeks in Beijing. After one TV appearance, he was driven off in a golf cart and promptly got mobbed. “It was scary,” his coach, Bob Bowman, said. “That's what will be the different thing for him.” But he's letting his playful side come out. Phelps was waiting to be introduced last at yet another sponsor's event Wednesday when he spied a spread of desserts on the bar. He ducked over, grabbed a chocolate cookie, and teasingly put his fingers to his lips to quiet the server. Phelps and Bowman plan to return to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to collect the last of their belongings and be honored during Michigan's home football game against Wisconsin on Sept. 27. Then they'll complete their moves back to Baltimore. Shopping is in Phelps' future, too. After all, he's got a $1 million bonus from his swimsuit sponsor Speedo to burn. Tops on his list is a new car to replace his BMW. “My friend's in the car business, so he's going to help me,” Phelps said. “I've been looking at some Astin Martins and some Maseratis. It would be pretty sweet to get an old-school Aston Martin, some of the old-school (James) Bond ones. That would be sick.” In today's hip-hop parlance, that means good. Phelps' five-month hiatus ends in February, when he resumes serious training. “I would rather it be three months, but I wanted it to be five so that it was probably longer than he wants and when he comes back, he's really ready to come back,” Bowman said. Phelps' mother, Debbie, was a visible presence in Beijing, along with his two older sisters. Bowman said that Phelps' father, Fred, didn't attend the Games, as he did in 2000 and 2004 when he stayed out of the spotlight and sat separately from his ex-wife and daughters. Phelps frequently praises his mother publicly for her devotion to him and his career, while never discussing his father. Asked to describe their relationship, Bowman said: “I think it's just distant. I don't think it's good or bad. There's not much there.” – Reuters __
