Decathlon champ says Phelps isn’t the best

Bryan Clay (pictured) says that though Michael Phelps may be the world's best swimmer, he's not well-rounded enough to be considered the world's best athlete.Bringing eight gold medals back from Beijing proves Michael Phelps rules the pool, but fellow gold medalist Bryan Clay doesn’t think the swimmer has what it takes to be called the world’s greatest athlete. As far as the decathlete is concerned, that honor is his alone.

“When you’re talking about the best athlete in the world, I think it needs to be somebody that’s well rounded, that can do everything well,” Bryan told OK! magazine. “I think that’s me at this point.”

While Bryan’s only earned one Olympic gold, compared to Michael’s career total of 14, he’ll only give the golden boy credit for “probably” being the top swimmer ever. “I just don’t think you can call him the world’s greatest athlete,” Bryan said.

In addition to his own accolades, the decathlon champ is getting one post-Olympic honor Michael won’t receive. In the battle of the cereal boxes, the swimmer chose Frosted Flakes, but Bryan’s set to appear on the Wheaties box.

“Having your picture on the Wheaties box is something all athletes strive for,” Bryan said in a quote of his Web site. “It’s a mark of distinction that says you’ve reached the pinnacle of your career. This is a very special honor for me.”