Here’s a taste from Wednesday’s People Column.

IS THIS ANY WAY TO TREAT AN AMERICAN HERO?: Rumors about the love life of U.S. Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps were flying fast and furious Tuesday, but faster than you can say “naked flip turns are not allowed in this pool, mister,” the most sizzling of these rumors was shot down.

To wit: Phelps is not — repeat NOT — dating Olympic swimmer and Playboy magazine model Amanda Beard.

Beard told the syndicated-radio team of Johnjay and Rich in the Morning that she is not dating Phelps and furthermore made it Olympic-pool-water-clear that she has no interest in doing so.

She has a boyfriend, she said, and furthermore made it clear that she finds Phelps about as attractive as a sturgeon filet.

Example of the radio interview:

Johnjay and Rich: Have you ever kissed him?
Beard: Eww! No!

However, another rumor, one which has not been squished yet, is that Phelps is dating Brit model Lily Donaldson.

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