How close was Phelps' win over Cavic? You call it

Sports Illustrated's website has posted a sequence of underwater photos taken by Heinz Kluetmeier (linked here) -- eight in all -- that illustrate even better than the NBC video how incredible it was that Michael Phelps (left) even had a chance to win the 100 meter butterfly race earlier today (Friday night in the U.S.) against Serbia's Milorad Cavic, (right), who appears to have it wrapped up.

The New York Times has also posted two photos (linked here) from EPA's Patrick B. Kraemer that tell the story somewhat the same way.

The New York Times' Richard Sandomir (linked here) also has a column posted that looks back at how ABC and Keith Jackson called Mark Spitz's seventh gold-medal swim at the 1972 Games -- without all the high-tech cameras and replays available today.

Meanwhile, those who claim conspiracy are coming out the Beijing woodwork, starting with Chicago Sun Times windbag Jay Mariotti (linked here).