History says phelps will drop significant time at the Olympics. Lochte, even in his college days, was only marginally better on second taper. Phelps goes 8/8 again...
Phelps is going to be very, very hard to beat. While I don't think he'll go 8/8, I think he'll throw a little cold water on Lochte's party.
Former Member
History says phelps will drop significant time at the Olympics. Lochte, even in his college days, was only marginally better on second taper. Phelps goes 8/8 again...
Former Member
Does anyone else want to see Ryan Lochte take him down in a few events?
If not for that 200 back last night (28 minutes before the 200 IM showdown) Ryan looked as if he could have easily beat him.
The 100 fly will also be a good done to watch. Milorad Cavic had posted the fastest 100 fly of the year up until last night with a 51.4 (only 8/100's off of Phelps' 51.32 from yesterday). Cavic said back in May that he was only partially tapered.
I think it's good he dropped the 200. First, the story would have been "can Michael get 8 golds again?", distracting from all the other potentially great stories. It would have added greatly to the pressure on him, which he probably doesn't want. Getting 8 in Beijing required Phelps to be at the top of his game (which he obviously was), but it also required a substantial amount of luck. 100 fly, 4x100 free relay, goggles in the 2fly, etc. It's unlikely his lucky stars would align so perfectly again. Second, given the worldwide competition in the 4x100 free relay, it's unlikely the US will repeat there. There would go the 8 golds and be a big disappointment, at least to NBC.
Dropping the 200fr probably makes for a stronger free relay, lets some other swimmers' stories emerge, and takes a good deal of pressure off Phelps, probably helping him in the other events.
goggles in the 2fly
Speaking of this, did anyone else want to throw a brick through their TV when NBC mentioned this incident before the 200 fly finals? They acted like winning the race with filled up goggles was the greatest achievement in sports history. Either Rowdy or Dan Hicks said something to the effect of "...anyone else would have just thrown in the towel, but not Michael!" Oh come on, you're going to just give up in the Olympic finals--in an event you've held the world record in for years because your goggles filled up? Please!
Speaking of this, did anyone else want to throw a brick through their TV when NBC mentioned this incident before the 200 fly finals? They acted like winning the race with filled up goggles was th greatest achievement in sports history. Either Rowdy or Dan Hicks said something to the effect of "...anyone else would have just thrown in the towel, but not Michael!" Oh come on, you're going to just give up in the Olympic finals--in an event you've held the world record in for years because your goggles filled up? Please!
My lifetime best 1650 free was completed after my goggles filled with water on the dive. And after the event, I did not throw a snit-fit in the pool. :angel:
We'll always wonder who would have won the 200 free had Phelps not scratched.
In 2016 we'll wonder what would have happened if he hadn't retired. :shakeshead:
Former Member
We'll always wonder who would have won the 200 free had Phelps not scratched.
Speaking of this, did anyone else want to throw a brick through their TV when NBC mentioned this incident before the 200 fly finals? They acted like winning the race with filled up goggles was the greatest achievement in sports history. Either Rowdy or Dan Hicks said something to the effect of "...anyone else would have just thrown in the towel, but not Michael!" Oh come on, you're going to just give up in the Olympic finals--in an event you've held the world record in for years because your goggles filled up? Please!
I also had a lifetime best in my final performance of my 200 Free at Conference Champs my senior year of college with my goggles completely filled up. I chose to swim with them still on my eyes, because I could still partially see vs. trying to rip them from my face and then being truly blind.
Throw in the towel??? Please...:bitching:
