Michael Phelps Owes Jason Lezak — A Lot

Michael Phelps now has five gold medals in the Beijing Olympics and has become the possessor of more gold medals than any Olympian in history.

But he best not forget his teammate Jason Lezak and just how much Lezkak’s monstrous finishing kicks means.

Epic Olympic moments never grow old. And it’s now been three days, but it was Lezak’s anchor leg of the U.S. men’s 4x100-meter freestyle relay that’s still the buzz of the sports world.

Lezak overcame world recorder-holder Alain Bernhard of France in the waning meters to not only give the United States the upset win, it allowed Michael Phelps to continue his quest for eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics with his second title.

The effort also provided the Americans with a world record of 3:08.24 and it quieted an outspoken French squad that was all-but certain of its pending dominance in the event.

Lezak, who has been an underachiever in the Olympics, won after out-touching Bernard and sealing the Americans’ win by eight hundreds of a second.

The finish is destined to become among the all-time great Olympic moments.

Swimming fans marveled at Lezak’s anchor leg. And even those who have little interest in the Olympics and just happened to be watching it were mesmerized.

Despite the French squad’s bravado, the winning Americans approached French first the during the podium presentation to offer congratulations.

What that showed is that not only were the Americans the best team, they showed class and sportsmanship after winning the race.

And, of course, if Michael Phelps goes on the win eight gold medals, he’ll likely have Jason Lezak to thank again — big time — for his epic swim.