By Erin Keaveney

BEIJING, CHINA (Hollywood Today) 8/12/08 -– Speed, an all-American smile, charisma and world-record setting aspirations. At 23 years old, Michael Phelps is a swimming sensation. Phelps captured his third gold medal in Beijing with a record-setting finish in the men’s 200m freestyle on Tuesday and he’s not done. Phelps is aiming to break Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals at a single Games.

In addition to his success in the pool he also appears to have more friends than he can handle. Phelps’ Facebook profile has reached the max number of friends allowed at 5000. Phelps also reports that he has received over 100 ‘good luck” text messages from friends and fans over the past 24 hours.

Phelps can expect his pool of friends to continue growing as he successfully continues his bid to break Spitz’s record, which was set in 1972 in Munich. Phelps needs five more gold medals to surpass Spitz, two of which he looks to earn on Wednesday in the 200m fly and 4×200m free relay.

Phelps’ third gold medal in Beijing gives him nine total when combined with his six from the 2004 Athens Games, tying him with Spitz, American track and field star Carl Lewis, Soviet gymnast Larissa Latynina and Finnish runner Paavo Nurmi for most gold medals all-time. In order to take home 8 gold medals, Phelps would need to win all 8 of the events he is competing in, which has never been done.

As he continues his medal chase, Phelps may already have his elder beat in one respect: no word on how many Facebook friends Mark Spitz currently has, or if the 58-year-old Olympic legend is even a member of the online network. Friends and fans can tune in to watch Phelps continue his pursuit of a golden sweep on NBC at 10:00 pm Eastern tonight.

For more news, photos and schedules on Michael Phelps, visit: http://www.nbcolympics.com/swimming/index.html