We're a few weeks out from the 10th FINA World Championship and the war of the words between US vs Australia has begun. As reported in swiminfo Talbot (former Australian coach and now full-time minister of propaganda) just fired the first salvo in the continung swimming war between the US vs Australia.
Commenting on Phelps recent 200 IM world record, Talbot noted that the US is looking for someone to top their Thorpe for best swimmer in the world and, in a transparent attempt to psyche the young Phelps, noted that in "Phelps had done nothing yet" and has everything to prove and Thorpe is still the best inthe world...blah...blah...blah.
The Aussies have mounted a campaign that their Thorpie will challenge Spitz for four individual golds at Athens. Too bad for them that Thorpes fourth event is the 200 IM and Phelps has just made that task much more difficult.
Meanwhile, as to Talbot's statement that "Phelps has done nothing yet" in international competition. What about his gold medal and world record inthe 200 fly at 9th FINA World Championship weeks after he turned 16? How about his performances in the 400 IM AGAINST the world's best (just happened to be the US Eric Vendt) in the 400 IM last summer? How about swimming head-to-head ALL THE TIME against the best in the world in the 200 fly (just happens to be another American Tom Malchow)? Only one of Phelps world records weren't set against the best in the world and that was his 200 IM last week in Santa Clara.
In fact, I maintain that Phelps is already the better swimmer than Thorpe. He has three world records (200 IM/400 IM/200 FLY) and will soon have his fourth (100FLY) demonstrating a range of male swimming talent not seen since Mark Spitz.
Since turning 16 he has proven unbeatable in his events in head-to-head competition against the best in the world (Thorpe's record is not good in that record especially at the big show). The only thing missing from Phelps resume is a stellar Olympics (does Thorpe really have one?
How about it--who's the best male swimmer in the world RIGHT NOW. Thorpe or Phelps?
I say Phelps no contest. It's Thorpe who's coming into Worlds
with something to prove. Is he healthy-both physically and mentally. How will the change in coaching work out? Does he still
have what it takes to win? WILL HE DUCK PHELPS IN HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCH UP IN THE 200 IM? In this contest, Phelps has the advantage before the gun goes off not Thorpe. How about that Talbot?
What do you guys think?
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Former Member
Lefty--I agree with you that it might be difficult to settle this since they generally don't compete head-to-head except for 200 free leg of the 800 free relay and the 200 IM. I also agree that it's likely Thorpe 200 split will be faster and Phelps will be the winner in the 2 IM. Nevertheless, individual golds will count more than relay golds and world records could also be the tie-breaker.
Re the ocean life-saving. It's not obvious that Thorpe would beat Phelps in such a contest. First of all he's not that much faster than Phelps--in fact, Phelps unrested 400 was faster a few weeks ago than Thorpe's. More importantly, Phelps has a "better" stroke for ocean swimming than Thorpe. That assymetrical type of stroke breathing every two is much more suited to ocean swimming. He even lifts his body a bit before each breathe. In that situation I'd put my money (life) on Phelps.
Lefty--I agree with you that it might be difficult to settle this since they generally don't compete head-to-head except for 200 free leg of the 800 free relay and the 200 IM. I also agree that it's likely Thorpe 200 split will be faster and Phelps will be the winner in the 2 IM. Nevertheless, individual golds will count more than relay golds and world records could also be the tie-breaker.
Re the ocean life-saving. It's not obvious that Thorpe would beat Phelps in such a contest. First of all he's not that much faster than Phelps--in fact, Phelps unrested 400 was faster a few weeks ago than Thorpe's. More importantly, Phelps has a "better" stroke for ocean swimming than Thorpe. That assymetrical type of stroke breathing every two is much more suited to ocean swimming. He even lifts his body a bit before each breathe. In that situation I'd put my money (life) on Phelps.
