And a Sheffield based company, which played a big part in his success, was celebrating a win of its own today - as The Star and St John Sports Awards Sporting Business Of The Year

ANSYS UK helped Phelps, other swimmers, cyclists and sailors to become Olympic champions – using its technologies to improve design performance.

It worked with Speedo to create the drag-reducing LZR (Laser) Racer swimsuit worn by 89% of all medal winning swimmers in Beijing, including Phelps.

It also helps to design Formula One racing cars and America's Cup racing yachts.

ANSYS UK won the TAM sponsored Sporting Business Of The Year Award, at The Star and St John Ambulance Sports Awards, Ponds Forge, Sheffield.

It honours an organisation or individual that has significantly contributed to the sporting life of the region - or the performances of sportsmen and sportswomen

The glittering Edge Telecom sponsored Sports Awards, hosted by BBC Look North presenter Christa Ackroyd, recognised sporting excellence of all kinds – with the spotlight also on amateurs and business, as well as OIympic heroes, football superstars, boxing idols, cricket legends and other sporting greats.

Other finalists for Sporting Business Of The Year Award, sponsored by Team Action Management, or TAM (UK) Ltd, were:

HD Sports: Sheffield based HD Sports, the first choice of Olympic champions, supplies ice skate products to 85 per cent of the world's leading figure skaters. With a turnover of more than £30m, they are one of the biggest sport manufacturers in the region.

Zen Oracle Golf: The golf innovation company has created equipment and expertise to provided additional support to some of the world's top golfers. Zen products boast latest technologies that improve a powerful golf swing, adding distance and accuracy.

For more about the Sports Awards, a full list of winners and video clips, click here.