Australian head coach Alan Thompson said in Beijing Tuesday that US swimming prodigy Michael Phelps' biggest obstacle in breaking Mark Spitz's record will be his own countrymen.

"I think the major competition that Michael has in a lot of his events will come from his own countrymen. He has to get through that first," Thompson said at a press conference.

Coming off a historic seven-win performance at last year's world championships, Phelps is highly expected to break Spitz's 36-year-long record--having seven gold medals at one Olympics--in Beijing.

Phelps had the chance to break Spitz's record four years ago in Athens. However, with six gold medals and eight overall, he narrowly missed out. At the Beijing Games, Phelps is expected to swim eight events, including five individuals and three relays.

Thompson said Phelps is the only one that has the possibility to make history.

"I think Michael is a fantastic swimmer. I think if anyone in the world who could possibly do it, it would be Michael."

"It would be a great story over the nine days of (swimming) competition. I think there would be a lot of people watching it. I'll be happy to see history...It would be a magnificent feat if he achieved it,"Thompson said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)