The eight gold medals he collected at the Beijing Games would have tied him for ninth with Italy , one behind Japan , in the overall standings .
From 2002 to 2012 , Phelps was a one - man team .
The eight gold medals Phelps collected at the Beijing Games would have tied Phelps for ninth with Italy , one behind Japan , in the overall standings .
From 2002 to 2012 , Phelps was a one - man team .