One of the stars of the Beijing Olympics managed to avoid hundreds of fans, photographers and reporters.

American swimmer Michael Phelps

American swimmer Michael Phelps snuck out through side door to a waiting bus while his teammates pushed luggage trolleys calmly through the arrival gate at Beijing's new Terminal 3.

For the next few days the international airport in Beijing will be the place to be if you want to spot some of the world's top sports stars. Today's batch included the powerful United States swim team.But the one man who everyone wanted to get a look at was nowhere to be seen as the team passed through the arrivals lounge.

Michael Phelps won six gold medals four years ago in Athens, and is aiming to surpass both that mark and the seven-gold medals won by Mark Spitz at the 1972 Munich Games. He will compete in eight events in Beijing, three of which are relays.

A quiet entrance for Phelps maybe, but it's unlikely to stay that way.

American swimmer Michael Phelps