Olympic sensation Michael Phelps was the man of the evening, raking in three Golden Goggle awards (photo by Matthew B. Zeidman)

Swanky event featured Michael Phelps and Donald Trump, among others
By Matthew B. Zeidman

NEW YORK (Hollywood Today) 11/18/08 – It was the swimmers’ version of the Emmys at the New York Hilton on Monday, when Olympic athletes, Hollywood stars and sports broadcasters came together for the 2008 Golden Goggle Awards. Gold medalist Michael Phelps, real estate magnate Donald Trump and noted broadcaster Bob Costas were just a few of the attendees at the black-tie affair, which featured dinner, a performance by the cast of “Stomp” and eponymous statuettes honoring the best in the sport.

“I’m traveling around, seeing some friends, having some of my own time to do what I want to do,” Phelps, who has taken home 14 Olympic gold medals to date, told red carpet reporters of his post-Olympic decompression. “It’s gonna be hard [to get back into shape], but it’s gonna be something that I know I have to do and I want to do. There are so many things that I still want to accomplish.”

Leven Rambin proved she could be an Aquafresh spokesperson with those pearly whites (photo courtesy of GBK Productions)

Phelps was the night’s clear winner, taking home the awards for Male Athlete of the Year, Male Race of the Year and Relay Performance of the Year. Relay teammate Cullen Jones received the Athlete Humanitarian Award, while fellow Olympian Eric Shanteau was recognized with the Golden Goggle for Perseverance.

Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin gave the cast of Stomp an up-close look at her shoulderless dress by Oscar de la Renta (photo by Matthew B. Zeidman)

Countless other swimmers, past and present, were there to help raise awareness of water safety and physical fitness, including Natalie Coughlin, Katie Hoff, Summer Sanders and Dara Torres. Stephanie Pratt of MTV’s “The Hills,” who was visiting the Big Apple for the first time, also spoke about the importance of teaching young children to swim.

“I spent the last year helping my sister teach my [3-year-old] niece how to swim,” Pratt told Hollywood Today, stressing the importance of poolside safety. “It’s life or death.”

MTV reality star Stephanie Pratt posed with author Ana Weber and her latest book at the GBK Productions gifting suite (photo by Matthew B. Zeidman)

In addition to Trump, celebrity presenters included former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, magician David Blaine and actors Richard Kind, Heather Matarazzo and Ana Ortiz, with Costas acting as master of ceremonies. Leven Rambin of “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” also enjoyed the festivities and the gifting suite hosted by GBK Productions.

All VIP guests went home with swimmer-oriented luxuries, such as an underwater MP3 player by Freestyle Audio and a sample of chlorine-combating skincare products by Morning Indigo. Copies of Risk, a classic strategic board game popular among American competitors at this summer’s Beijing Olympics, were also among the many items distributed.

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