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What an incredible finish. Is it wrong that I still don't believe Michael Phelps beat Serbia’s Milorad Cavic? My girlfriend reminded me over and over again that the touch pads don't lie, but after every replay we've seen, I'm still not convinced. Perhaps it's that I simply don't believe Phelps yet again gained the necessary ground needed in the final 25 meters to win his most difficult gold medal.

One fascinating aspect of these games I haven't been able to capture until tonight was the interest of the regular fan. Obviously, I'm watching all these big events, but I've been watching all of these in the comfort of my own apartment, as you can imagine. We've heard of the massive ratings, but I didn't have any proof of the matter.

Tonight, I finally ventured out to a neighborhood bar, restaurant that my girlfriend and I frequently regularly. It's never jam-packed, but also never empty. The bar become quickly crowded as the Cubs defeated the Marlins on a pitch hit three-run home run by Daryl Ward, but then it started to clear out. That was until Phelps final rolled around, and then seemingly everyone in the area stormed into the bar. The last time I saw this much attention in Chicago to a sporting event was, no kidding, the 2003 MLB playoffs. Keep in mind, I live on the north side.

Like me, no one believed he actually beat Cavic, but apparently it's all official. Michael Phelps has his 7th gold medal in these Olympic games. Even he thought he'd lost.

Tonight was the first time we've witnessed a genuine smile on his face, the pressure off, having won all of his individual events. Phelps admitted he was motivated by Cavic's words that someone else winning would be good for the sport.

More tomorrow.