That would be interesting if NBC did that. An Olympican gets "Friends-Jerry Seinfeld-Tim Allen" type money to compete. Mama Phelps and entourage gets some money to appear in the stands. Gosh, is that family growing and growing or what. I wonder if Debbie Phelps will get a talk show now.
I wouldn't doubt it! What's with all the showing of athletes' parents in the stands this year? Kinda' creeps me out. Like it's going to encourage the crazies who just want their 15 minutes of fame and are willing to ride on their kids' backs instead of doing something remarkable themselves. Too cynical?
What I did enjoy however was the seeing Missy Franklin's childhood coach after she touched the wall with a new 200 back world record. The emotion on his face spoke volumes about the journey they've been on over the past ten years. That was a good sports moment.
Agreed.
Definitely too many shots of the parents in the stands. In gymnastics it seemed almost de rigueur before and after every routine and the only parent who didn't seem a little crazy was Gabby Douglas' mom!
Agree on the shot of Franklin's coach. That was a great moment.
The brief glimpses to the families do have this Bravo reality TV effect. I wonder if they do hair and make-up now before each final? Panning around the stadium to get the reactions of LeBron James and Prince William only adds more sensationalism to the finish (insert sarcasm). Maybe the camera crews are just plain tired of zooming in on Mama Phelps while she bellows "Go Michael" for the millionth time.
What I did enjoy however was the seeing Missy Franklin's childhood coach after she touched the wall with a new 200 back world record. The emotion on his face spoke volumes about the journey they've been on over the past ten years. That was a good sports moment.
400 med relay team Gold win caps off his career in fine style. His post race interview with Costas did serve him well to close out the "winingest"swimmer & Olympian to date. 1/2 the way thru the Games he found his way back to wining & smiling. It has really been fun watching him the last series of Olympics!
Phelps can take off 2 years & come back to do Rio with a "limited "# of swims!
Agreed. Returning for a forth Olympics would be quite remarkable. Not to win, but just to take home a medal of some kind.
In theory he could do a very similar thing as per Brendan Hansen and qualify for the 100 fly. Maybe even swim the fly leg on the 400 IM relay.
