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The Disneyland Report > Disney News > Olympians glitter in exhibition spotlight Disney NewsOlympians glitter in exhibition spotlightBy Grace Aduroja With thumping techno music and flashing camera bulbs, it seemed more like a rock concert than a swimming exhibition Tuesday evening as Olympian Michael Phelps and two of his teammates entertained two sold-out crowds in St. Charles East High School. Swim fans lined up at Norris Recreational Center hours before Phelps, the 19-year-old swimming phenom from Baltimore, and fellow gold medalists Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg were slated to showcase their strokes. The 1,600 tickets for the only Midwestern stop of "Disney's Swim With the Stars" were snatched up within hours of going on sale Saturday. Tuesday's show is part of a multicity national tour. At the St. Charles show, each Olympian demonstrated his favorite stroke drills as the crowd squealed with enjoyment. The loudest reception was for Phelps, whose eight medals made him the most recognizable swimmer to emerge from the Athens games. Stephanie Senjanin, 15, left school early Tuesday to ensure that she'd get to see Phelps up close. "We wanted to be the first ones in line," said Senjanin, an honors student from East Dundee who paid an additional $70 to upgrade her $30 ticket to the poolside VIP option. "He's a really good swimmer ... and he's hot!" Other admirers sported "Be Like Mike" T-shirts and waved homemade signs as the swimmers demonstrated their gold-medal ability in the Kane County aquatics center. From the breaststroke to the butterfly, Phelps demonstrated versatility in the pool at Athens. He took home two bronze and six gold medals. A video screen recounted the Olympic triumphs of each athlete to the 800 fans squeezed in the bleachers Tuesday for the first show. "We have a lot of homework, but it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing; you don't want to miss it." said Chineze Onwuta, 12, of St. Charles. The Olympians encouraged kids to stick with swimming, practice their strokes and give thanks to those who support them. "My coach ... he's the greatest coach in the world, in my opinion," Phelps said. "He knows me so well and the relationship we have is so amazing." To read the rest of this story, click
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