Multi-Olympic champion Michael Phelps was named the U.S. Olympic Committee's sportsmen of the year on Thursday.

Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps poses at a press conference in Beijing. Phelps returned to Beijing on Jan. 10 to endorse an automobile maker on the mainland, the latest of several lucrative company sponsorship deals he has signed.[Xinhua]

The sportswoman award went to all-around gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin and swimmer Natalie Coughlin, who won six medals in Beijing.

Erin Popovich was selected Paralympian of the year and the U.S. men's volleyball team, which won a gold medal in the aftermath of the attack and killing of coach Hugh McCutcheon's father-in-law, was team of the year.

Phelps broke Mark Spitz's record by winning eight gold medals in Beijing Olympics last summer.

(Xinhua News Agency January 23, 2009)