WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President George W. Bush welcomed the United States Olympic and Paralympic teams to the White House on Tuesday.

More than 500 U.S. athletes attended, including Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. The president acknowledged the great accomplishments of all of the athletes who represented the United States in Beijing over the summer.

"People say, did you ever get to meet Michael Phelps? I said I did," the president said. "So that was the highlight? I said, not really; meeting his mother was more of a highlight. She reminded me of my mother -- plainspoken and full of love.

"So, Michael, we congratulate you. We thank you for joining us today. And we congratulate all the swimmers for the Olympic team."

The U.S. Team finished the 2008 Olympic Games with 110 medals (36 gold, 38 silver, 36 bronze), and led the overall medal standings for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games.

The 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team also had a stellar performance in Beijing, as it finished third in the overall medals standings with 99.