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New York - Michael Phelps achieved another unprecedented feat: the first swimmer honoured as Sports Illustrated's sportsman of the year.

Phelps broke Mark Spitz's iconic record with eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August and became the Olympian winning the most ever medals with his 14 victories.

Olympians in other sports have earned the award before in its 54-year history, but never a swimmer. In 1972, the year Spitz won his medals, UCLA basketball coach John Wooden and tennis great Billie Jean King were honoured by the magazine.

''Easiest choice'

Phelps said at a recent photo session where he posed for the Sports Illustrated cover: “Honestly, I feel like the same person I've been my whole life.

"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 kind of a year, and I definitely couldn't ask to change anything."

Phelps, 23, follows a more traditional winner, NFL quarterback Brett Favre.

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

'Attentiion for our sport'

Phelps captivated Americans during his record chase, driving up NBC's television ratings and inspiring conversations about swimming among people who had never followed the sport before. He returned to the US to the ultimate validation of pop culture relevance – hosting the season premiere of "Saturday Night Live."

"The football players and basketball players and baseball players have it a little bit different. Everybody sees their faces more often," Phelps said.

"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."