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?
Is Michael Phelps the best olympian ever? Stupid question that cannot be factually answered.
I'm not sure that it's a stupid question and there are lots of facts, but the real issue (as you stated) is what criteria one would use to make a determination of the greatest olympian ever. It's been interesting to hear people's thoughts and have them weigh-in. Dismiss the medal count BS, but not the question.
Have we debunked the argument that swimming achievements are in someway not representative of the world's population? There are not many black athletes in the winter olympics; does that mean the winter olympics are somehow discredited? Discrediting swimming on this basis is shallow - ignoring the accomplishments of great athletes like Phelps, Biondi, Hall sr and jr, Spitz, Evans, Sanders, Farrell, Shollander, Weismuller etc. (and others im not thinking of), and it would require discrediting the entire winter olympics and many summer sports that do not have broad socioeconomic representation around the globe. A key olympic concept is to broaden representation, and it's working i think.
Clearly, medal count alone is not a good criteria. Beyond counting medals, the criteria become subjective, potentially biased, and opinion based, which is fine and the reason why there is no right or wrong answer. The question is still interesting to discuss and debate, especially if you are an athlete and enjoy the olympics.
Is Michael Phelps the best olympian ever? Stupid question that cannot be factually answered.
I'm not sure that it's a stupid question and there are lots of facts, but the real issue (as you stated) is what criteria one would use to make a determination of the greatest olympian ever. It's been interesting to hear people's thoughts and have them weigh-in. Dismiss the medal count BS, but not the question.
Have we debunked the argument that swimming achievements are in someway not representative of the world's population? There are not many black athletes in the winter olympics; does that mean the winter olympics are somehow discredited? Discrediting swimming on this basis is shallow - ignoring the accomplishments of great athletes like Phelps, Biondi, Hall sr and jr, Spitz, Evans, Sanders, Farrell, Shollander, Weismuller etc. (and others im not thinking of), and it would require discrediting the entire winter olympics and many summer sports that do not have broad socioeconomic representation around the globe. A key olympic concept is to broaden representation, and it's working i think.
Clearly, medal count alone is not a good criteria. Beyond counting medals, the criteria become subjective, potentially biased, and opinion based, which is fine and the reason why there is no right or wrong answer. The question is still interesting to discuss and debate, especially if you are an athlete and enjoy the olympics.
