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Olympics chief Jacques Rogge has compared Ben Ainslie's third Olympic crown to the multi-medal winning feats of swimming superstar Michael Phelps and world record blitzing sprinter Usain Bolt at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Ainslie secured his third Olympic title - and fourth consecutive Olympic medal - in sailing to Finn class gold in Qingdao last Sunday while Phelps' eight golds and Bolt's double Olympic sprint title have seen the high-profile pair dominate the international headlines.
Britain's sailors have enjoyed their fair share of the Olympic spotlight over the past fortnight, as they captured a history-making six medals including four golds on the waters of Qingdao.
And speaking to the BBC, IOC President Rogge, insisted Ainslie in particular should have his achievement held in the same esteem as his illustrious overseas fellow Olympians.
Rogge, who represented Belgium in sailing at the 1968, 1972 and 1976 Games. said: "For me, his (Ainslie) achievement is as valid as Phelps or Bolt.
"I don't like to compare athletes from different sports, but Ben Ainslie competes in a boat class where he can only win one medal. The others (Phelps and Bolt) can win two, three... all the way up to eight. What they do is fantastic, but what Ainslie does is equally fantastic."