Michael phelps is NOT greatest olympian ever b/c....
Former Member
This is not my opinion, but have heard this argued multiple times the past few days
He is swimming in a upper class white dominated sport. If swimming were more accessible to inner city black kids then he would have more competition and a deeper talent pool To compete against and he would not come close to his medal count.
Everyone can run, so usain bolt or carl Lewis are the best Olympians ever bc they accomplished what they did against the unquestionable best the world could possible throw at them
What say you?
Parents
Former Member
Sojerz,
I totally agree, and the diversity of phelps is the singular issue that makes me consider him the GOAT in the Olympics
16 Olympic events including relays.
Gold medals in 8 different events.
Could have medaled in the 100 free the past two Olympics
Not unlikely he could have medaled in one or both backstrokes if he trained for Them.
He was ranked 10th in the world in the 400 free once upon a time despite not really training for it. Anyone want to bet against him making the team and finaling in that if he chose to?
There is no denying Bolts dominance in the 100 and 200, over two olympics. And if he does it again in 2016 then we can revisit this conversation, but he isnt high jumping, long jumpIng, trying the hurdles or the 400.
Phelps diversity, longevity and dominance (note his margin of victory in the IMs, 200 free and fly) and his ability to deliver under pressure make him the no brainer as GOAT, even if you throw total medals out.
And it drives me nuts when people say "swimming is just swimming, no diversity". Ask them, how many bReastroke gold medal winners medaled in another stroke? How many backstrokers medal in butterfly or free? How many guys are medal contenders in free, back, fly And IM in distances from 100 to 400 meters?
Sojerz,
I totally agree, and the diversity of phelps is the singular issue that makes me consider him the GOAT in the Olympics
16 Olympic events including relays.
Gold medals in 8 different events.
Could have medaled in the 100 free the past two Olympics
Not unlikely he could have medaled in one or both backstrokes if he trained for Them.
He was ranked 10th in the world in the 400 free once upon a time despite not really training for it. Anyone want to bet against him making the team and finaling in that if he chose to?
There is no denying Bolts dominance in the 100 and 200, over two olympics. And if he does it again in 2016 then we can revisit this conversation, but he isnt high jumping, long jumpIng, trying the hurdles or the 400.
Phelps diversity, longevity and dominance (note his margin of victory in the IMs, 200 free and fly) and his ability to deliver under pressure make him the no brainer as GOAT, even if you throw total medals out.
And it drives me nuts when people say "swimming is just swimming, no diversity". Ask them, how many bReastroke gold medal winners medaled in another stroke? How many backstrokers medal in butterfly or free? How many guys are medal contenders in free, back, fly And IM in distances from 100 to 400 meters?
