Olympic Gold winner Michael Phelps has just been named Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year.”

He’ll be the first swimmer to ever be given that title!

During his photo session posing for the cover, Phelps took some time to talk to the press. He said, “Honestly, I feel like the same person I’ve been my whole life.”

Adding, “I’m doing what I love. I was able to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish this year. It’s been a dream come true of a year, and I definitely couldn’t ask to change anything.”

Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell called the choosing of Phelps as “the easiest choice I have made. It is so obvious that he changed not only swimming, but the entire Olympic landscape.”

And, Phelps is grateful for all the attention he’s been able to get for his sport.

He says, “The football players and basketball players and baseball players have it a little bit different. Everybody sees their faces more often. Just being able to have the attention of the American public is something I’ve always wanted for our sport. I’ve been able — not only myself but my teammates — have been able to work together to allow that to happen.”

We wonder, though, how he feels about all the attention he’s getting by dating that Vegas slut girl he met this year.

[Image via WENN.]