What does everyone think about Gary Hall's comments about Michael Phelps being on the 4 x 100 freestyle relay at the Olympics. Gary pretty much feels that Michael shouldn't be on the relay since he didn't swim the 100 at the Olympic trials. Michael is being considered for the relay, since he has posted the second fastest time by an American this year.
I personally think Michael should be on the relay if he is setting the water a fire at the Olympics. I think any true team member would give up their spot on a relay to someone who is faster. It is about the best possible relay team - GO USA!!!!
Former Member
We are having this discussion because we can….Discussion and dialog are a healthy form of expression.
Gary has a right to say and think anything he wants as long as he does not threaten anyone. I believe they call that “free speech.” I believe the basic meaning or definition of TEAM is in keeping with the Olympic Regulations as stated above regarding who swims and who does not swim on relays at the Olympic Games. Everyone knows the rules or should have known the rules while swimming at trials. In short, whatever the coaches and staff believe is in the best interest of the TEAM, then that is what is going to happen. If you do not like the rules then work from within to change the rules, but NOT going into the Olympic Games.
It is not a democracy…..
If Phelps has a better time then someone else on the relay, he should swim. Hell let's have a swim off so Phelps can beat Hall like Lezak and Crocker did and relegate him even further down the line! :D
No need to get your panties in a bunch... if the rules are the rules, and Gary knows the rules (or maybe he doesn't - but I bet he does), then why make such a statement in the first place?
Here's my opinion (since we're discussing this just because we can) - perhaps Gary is upset because although the rules are very clear, such a thing hasn't been done before (or maybe in his lifetime)....? Just a guess. And you're right - he certainly is entitled to his opinion.
I really thought that someone wanting to swim on a relay had to swim that particular event/distance in the trials. But now I've seen the light and let's shout out a great big "AMEN" to that!
:--)
It has happened recently. I think Jenny T was put on the 800 free relay in either Sydney of the games before.
I'm sure Gary knows all this. He's simply making his opinion known. The coaches will put the fastest relay on the blocks and Gary will support it. He doesn't want to lose the relay again which doesn't explain why he does a track start.
Then that makes a lot more sense. Did he make a public statement to the press about his opinion or was this just something someone heard him say in the locker room?
Nevertheless it's now made headlines if we know about it.
I think Gary Hall is concerned because he wasn't one of the top-two at the trials. If Phelps gets a slot on the relay, it will be at the expense of someone who was not in the top two.
I doubt Hall is at risk, but it still has to concern him a little.
People, people, people...
You are underestimating both the cunning and the altruism of Gary Hall. In addition to being one of the great sprinters of all time and performing at a world class level in one of the longest careers of all time, Gary Hall is also showing himself to be one of the most media-savy, budding impressarios for the sport of swimming in the past few years. He's been in the sport for years. He knows the rules, and he understands that it is all about fielding the fastest relay team possible, period, at the Olympic Games. Also, being so media savvy, he has to understand that lobbying in public for his spot has got to be the LEAST LIKELY means for acheiving that end, just look at Carl Lewis.
So, the question remains, why would he say Michael Phelps does not deserve a spot on the relay? We also know Gary is all about generating publicity and media attention for swimming. NBC is obligingly running a "Can Phelps one-up Spitz" campaign, but geez, how many times in the coming weeks can you disect that question without running out of material. OK, suppose one of the grand old veterans of the sport, and self-appointed loud-mouth, were to cork-off with a ridiculous statement about Michael doesn't belong on the relay because he did not swim it at Trials. Do you think swimming might be able to play the ole' Howard Cosell "CONTROVERSY!!" card for a few more interesting stories. The angles are endless. Just imagine the irony of one of the great rebels of the sport at the backend of the career criticizing one of the bright young guns because he doesn't want to play by the Olympic Trial rules.
Gary Hall is one of the most clever, imaginative people in the sport today, and the only pity in the Phelps on the relay remarks is that they did not generate MORE barstool debates. All we swimmers and swimming fans would have been the clear winners, and Gary Hall would have sacrificed a bit of his public image for our benefit.
Matt
P.S. I'm baa....ack!
Gary has a right to an opinion (if that is really his opinion) but in this case if it is, he is wrong. I think this is just a publicity deal with Gary.
The "rivalry" with Lezak and "war of words" their agents had generated a lot of publicity that NBC did and will continue to capitalize on. (Wait until Athens and the Popov "rivalry")
He has to know full well and good that Phelps will and should be on the relay. My humble prediction for finals:
Lezak
Phelps
Hall
Crocker
In that order. World record and gold medal upset of the Aussies.
If you feel sorry for the alternates not getting to swim at night even though they swam at trails, check out some of Josh Davis' quotes regarding the pride he had swimming on relays in the morning and the contributions all of our relay swimmers make regardless when they swim.
