Accustomed to taking breaks only between sets, swimmers whose routine mantra is 'eat, sleep, and swim,' have reveled in their well deserved post-Olympic notoriety by spending much of their recent time on dry land. Since making history in China as members of the 4 x 100 men's freestyle relay team, they've celebrated their win with the masses.

Michael, Jason, Cullen and Garrett.

Cullen Makes Good on Gold

Helping the US Olympic Men's 4 x 100 relay secure a nail biting victory in what has been called one of the most exciting races in sports, Cullen Jones hits the dry land and gets in deep with Inside Edition for its news magazine, styled by Men's Vogue. Becoming the 2^nd African American male ever to win a swimming gold medal, Cullen made, quite simply, history. But his post Olympic objectives are nothing simple.  With a USA Swimming commissioned study showing nearly half of African-American children can't swim, he's hoping to make good on his gold with initiatives to teach those you can't to swim, and be water safe.

Cullen also hit Arthur Ashe Kids Day, the US Open's pre-tournament celebration for families to flash a smile, and some gold.

Where In the World is… Michael Phelps

It's hard to go a day, a minute really, without knowing exactly Michael Phelps' whereabouts. In case you looked away, and poof he was gone, let us do our best to help you get back your due tabs.  Here's what the last two weeks have looked a lot like for leadoff member of that infamous relay –not to mention the half dozen golds that followed.

Since returning from China, Phelps has hit tennis balls at Wimbledon, golf balls in Portugal, been tapped as host for SNL's premiere episode, and had gawkers crawling up trees to catch a view while he taped an episode of HBO's Entourage, a role the network has indicated could be reoccurring if he so chose. Phelps has accepted his $1 million bonus from Speedo on the Today Show and turned it around to announce the start of a swim foundation in his name to promote water safety and healthy lifestyles. From New York Phelps jetted to Chicago, and a taping of the Oprah show with other Olympians.  While in Chicago, he taught a 20 minute swim club on the West Side, hopped back on a jet to make his way out west.

Throw in a Disney parade in your honor, and you have 2 weeks in the life of Michael Phelps – putting him somewhere in between Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles (for those of you keeping track).

Jason & Garrett

Arguably the most famous member and the anchor of that now famous US Olympic Men's 4 x 100 relay team, Jason Lezak, is a personality in and of himself. Compared to the fanfare that followed many of his counterparts, Lezak relishes in the swimming alone. Returning home and moving mostly unnoticed through John Wayne Airport, he returned to his Irvine condo covered in tiny American flags and colorful balloons.  Although making his rounds on dry land, he will do Oprah, Conan and Ellen, talk radio and TV sports shows, appearing with Drew Carey at the Pepsi 500 and showing off his gold medal to a crowd of fans at the US Open.

That gold medal that was inched out by mere fractions from France's big talking men's team – where does he keep the prize?

 "In my pocket," he recently told the LA Times.  

 Appearing on Oprah with his relay teammates, Weber-Gale has made plenty of appearances since in his home state of Wisconsin. What's next? "My grandma's going to make me a rhubarb pie," he says. It's only right.

A team of four, who came together, to do something magical – and then went their separate ways to celebrate their individual victories with parades, tiny American flags, giant tennis balls, and, of course, rhubarb pie.

For photos of your favorite swimmers and their homecomings, click on the photo gallery to follow!

Title : Swim Stars Go Home and Up For Air
Teaser : Homecomings and Media For Swimming's Big Winners