New York, NY —

Just back from the Olympics, Michael Phelps showed up in Manhattan Thursday. The star swimmer says he's glad to be back on American soil after winning 8 Olympic gold medals in Beijing.

Last night he spent some time with golf star Tiger Woods. Today, his portrait was hung in the National Gallery in Washington and this weekend the swimmer will host "Saturday Night Live." How does he feel about all the attention?

PHELPS: It's kind of hard to really you know take everything and really fully experience everything. But hopefully after this is all done I'll be able to sit down and really think about everything I've had the opportunity to do. You know all this has been such a great honor.

REPORTER: Phelps was in New York City to promote a swimming program for young school children at the YMCA in Chelsea.