Swimming Finals at the World Championships in Barcelona, Spain

Hackett 1st in 14:43.14, no WR. That's 3 for 3 boys and girls. Damn I'm good:D and patting self on back. HA HA HA Also saw this on Eurosport: "Pieter van den Hoogenband, beaten three times in the world championships this week, has been struggling with food poisoning." and Thompson sick also. Remind me not to go to Barcelona anytime soon. Unlike 2000 when there were questions concerning the USA Men's swimming program, I don't think there will be many doubts going into 2004. Look out Athens!

Originally posted by Ion Beza whatever the name, googa for example, my point is that an individual Olympic medal is stronger than a relay medal. i wouldn't tell this to the likes of jenny thompson. and i doubt that you can really tell her that for the most part here performances have been inconsequential. what she has achieved and will continue to achieve is phenomenal. i can't say that i have a world (olympic) gold medal in either a relay or individual event. so i prefer to enjoy the amazing performances that push this sport forward rather than trying to discredit swimmers who aren't my favorite.

Bert, I know that it was really Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabb, and Mark Spitz but that last guy was it Jim Mongomery or John Naber.

Hey Ion, you spending a lot of time with Matt and Tom (Biondi and Dolan)? That or you are one hell of a mind reader. How else would you know that Biondi retired in 1994 to avoid Popov and Dolan is "ducking" Phelps and Vendt in the 400IM...oh, maybe because you haven't thought that MAYBE world class athletes decide that they simply want to retire and move onto other things in life (hint, hint). BTW, still loving that you were so wrong on that whole Guinness thing with Biondi. Bond! That still gets me. By the way, Johnny Weisenheimer, Buster Shrimp, Mark Spitzelbaum, and Jim Nabors all say hi. At least, those were the names they gave me when they came over to dinner last night.

Originally posted by Ion Beza Phelps (U.S.) with a new world record of 4:09.09 in 400 I.M. is out of reach right now. People who just train hard -like Tom Wilkens (U.S.)-, are relegated. By saying "people who just train hard" I imagine you mean those who aren't phenomenally talented. Did you read Gold in the Water? In it the author asserts that Wilkens isn't as talented as some of the other swimmers. My position is that anyone who gets to that level is extraordinarily talented. I could never swim as fast as Wilkens no matter how hard I trained. Phelps is just in a completely different world in terms of talent, though. He's amazing. One other thing. I wouldn't say Phelps is out of reach. The silver medalist, Laszlo Cseh, was nipping at his heels. I see they were both born in 1985. Overall, wow, what a meet. It seemed like things started out a little slowly, but by the end it's got to be considered one of the great meets of all time.

Originally posted by Matt S This moronic Biondi vs. Popov vs. everyone else “debate” has gone far enough! In an earlier discussion thread, I warned everyone about the impossibility of “proving” who is the “best” swimmer. ... Matt When you don't read well, it escapes you that I address in this thread: .) who repeats and three-peats by winning in different Olympics and being a winner with longevity; .) in contrast to a one Olympics winner or a one Olympics 'flash-in-the-pan' winner. What I address in this thread is not what you think you understand that I address.

You keep moving the goalposts: Originally posted by nyswim ... Best times, Olympic finals: Biondi 50 :22.14 100 :48.63 200 1:47.99 100 Fly :53.01 Popov 50 :21.91 100 :48.69 Biondi won in 1988, didn't win in 1992, then quit. Popov won in 1992, won in 1996, got second in 2000, doesn't quit. 'Flash in the pan': got that?

There are two errors in this post: Originally posted by Bert Bergen ... BTW, still loving that you were so wrong on that whole Guinness thing with Biondi. Bond! That still gets me. ... ...and Jim Nabors all say hi. ... 1.) It still gets me after seven years in the U.S., that Americans like this poster here, cannot spell in their native language, sometimes in vocabulary and sometimes in public names: how does John Naber sound to you? I think, you should learn the real John Naber, instead of a fantasy Jim Nabors. 2.) You mindlessly blame me because Bond and not Biondi is in the Guinness book report of 1984 and I point this out in a post. I explain this to you, for the second time: .) in the Guinness book, Bond -not Biondi- is in the 1984 4x100 U.S. men free relay; .) I didn't write the Guinness book; .) I read the Guinness book, I point out on the fly what I read, and this specific information is no big deal to my main point. Better now for your grasp? My main point was and is: Bond or Biondi, is there any relevance in this in making Biondi a repeat or a three-peat winner in different Olympics? Because I told you: you lose focus on the key.

I'm out of here. Shades of threads past...

My fellow countrywoman Beatrice Caslaru (Rom.), got bronze in 400 I.M.. I was worried about her intensity when I saw her #7 in 200 I.M.. Also, the 2000 Olympics big gun double backstroke gold (100 and 200) Diana Mocanu (Rom.) is not here, as well as big gun in the 200 free Camelia Potec (Rom.). Maybe they are tired of training hard like they mentioned once, I don't know... Phelps (U.S.) with a new world record of 4:09.09 in 400 I.M. is out of reach right now. People who just train hard -like Tom Wilkens (U.S.)-, are relegated. Inge de Bruijn (Ned.) is still talented in 50 free, no matter her moods in training for the longer 100. Peirsol (U.S.) doesn't have the most raw speed in 50 back, but he sure comes close these days to the world record in 100 back.