I have a new sporting love.
There have been many. Frank Lampard, Gianfranco Zola, and of course Frank Leboeuf. But this week a new hero stepped into my life, destroying all in his wake.
Michael Phelps is one of the most fascinating characters in sport, but also indisputably the best. As the American 4×100 medley relay team touched home tonight, he picked up gold number 23 of his career.
It is important to take a moment to comprehend that. 23 golds. That is more than entire nations have accumulated in their history.
But it is his character that caught my attention.
His time away from the pool has been well documented in the American media, and less than flattering. Rehab and a DUI charge would be an emotional hit for anyone to take. Humbling, embarrassing and obviously wrong. But the human psyche is a complicated beast when wounded.
The controversy had clearly riled some rivals. The preparation area before his showdown with Chad Le Clos was the most riveting rivalry I have seen in years. Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg was handbags, Vladimir Klitscho and Tyson Fury frolicking. Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira? Okay, that was exciting. But this was subtle, which made it so enticing.
The way they eyed each other up pre-race, only headphones separating them, was like a pair of lions circling the Serengeti looking for a fight.
But Phelps fought back again and was soon draped in gold. As he stood on the podium this week he seemed overwhelmed. He was not the only one, so was I.
His fiancee was as emotional, holding his baby Boomer as the star-spangled banner rang out time and time again. It was moving.
His history won’t be to everyone’s taste and that I respect. But sport is about fight. Resilience and defiance.
Michael Phelps retired and was struck down by depression. Like so many sportsmen and women who struggle to deal with the loss of the buzz that competition brings you.
But to come back with the world watching, and reclaim your crown (well, several in his case) is something that should be lauded. It is beyond belief.
This is why Michael joins the very exclusive group of sportsmen I swoon over (and not even called Frank!). He will forever be an inspiration.
Alastair Ross - Grim up North 
Michael Phelps swims more than one stroke and various distances and relays and so can clock up the medals. In gymnastics there are medals for each apparatus plus an overall medal for both individuals and teams. Bradley Wiggins is a great as he has excelled in so many styles of cycling. My hero is Daley Thompson. He did 10 very different events to get a single medal. He won gold in two consecutive Olympics but could only manage about 5th in a third. He is still an all-time superstar.
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Couldn’t agree more and is something Lucy and I discussed during this year’s Olympics. Decathlon and Pentathlon athletes are robbed when compared to other disciplines. Just look at the British Pentathlon lady this year who jumped near a metre higher than anyone competing separately in the high jump. Yet went home without a medal.
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