When I said "subconscious" I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes we think we're being objective and we're really not. I don't know how Crocker looked in warmup or what he told his coach. If he's sick, he's not the same swimmer who broke the world record.
When I said "subconscious" I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes we think we're being objective and we're really not. I don't know how Crocker looked in warmup or what he told his coach. If he's sick, he's not the same swimmer who broke the world record.
Fair enough, I am sorry if I misunderstood you.
You couldn't be more right he was definitely not the same swimmer as the world record holder he is. I for one felt sorry for the guy. He was living his ultimate dream and to have a sore throat (if that's what it was) take that much out of you during you chance to shine must have been disheartening to say the least. He was ill we all know that, but I don't think anyone knew how bad that would have affected his first two races.
The one that perplezes me is Lezak. To be ranked #1 in the world going into Athens and not even semi final (I don't care what the coaches told him before his swim, he is a veteran and should know what it takes to be top 16) was truly amazing to me.
1) Trials is LCM, not SCM. His record is :46.26 SCM.
2) SCM has 2 more turns than LCM-you are faster coming off the wall than you are in the middle of the pool.
Wow, don't check this board for a day and you fall waaaaaaay behind. Some general thoughts:
Sitting Jordan in the 4th quarter is a bad analogy. Nobody on the Bulls was close to his ability level. Not close. The USA 100 freestylers are much closer in ability/performance. This call is not as clear cut.
I didn't know about the whole college coach situation. If that is why Hall was left off, then it was a bad call by the coach. It still doesn't make Hall right for skipping the 4x200 though.
Croker swimming the slowest of all 32 in the finals is disappointing but cannot be used against the coach. Nobody - and I mean nobody would have expected that would happen. To use it after the fact against the coach is not fair.
If Hall relishes the me against the world stance (as someone suggested in an earlier approach) that is fine with me. However, when you buck the rules, there may be consequences. That is the risk he takes by going against the rules. I suspect that he knew that when he decided on his choice of "wardrobe".
As for the comment from Geek - "I'm glad Hall stood up for himself and didn't wear the beurocratically prescribed outfit." I wonder how Hall would feel if the beurocratically provided money that supported his training and travel was taken away?
Those big corporate sponsors are basically big beurocratic organizations - whether they are team sponsors or his personal sponsors.
I find it ironic however, that if Ion was still involved in this forum, I think him and Geek would be in agreement on this one!
Anyway, I could go on forever - much like this thread is starting to do. But hey, there is a wall that I must go beat my head off of. It will be much less painful than reading some of the opinions expressed here.
Originally posted by Sam Perry
You couldn't be more right he was definitely not the same swimmer as the world record holder he is. I for one felt sorry for the guy. He was living his ultimate dream and to have a sore throat (if that's what it was) take that much out of you during you chance to shine must have been disheartening to say the least. He was ill we all know that, but I don't think anyone knew how bad that would have affected his first two races.
I suspect it was more than just a sore throat, probably some sort of viral syndrome (or maybe strep throat?). It can be deceptive--your performance can suffer more than you might expect. Bad luck, to say the least.
One thing that I really think swimming needs is more "love em or hate em" types. Gary Hall Jr is just the guy for the job. Look at football since the salary cap, no more Cowboys. Baseball wouldn;t be the same without the Yankee's, the Lakers in basketball. My point is that a few more mavericks like Gary to contrasting the Phelps' and Thorpes' of the world is a good thing. It would only augment the interest and viewing for swimming, Nobody tunes in to swimming to root against anyone but the other country. That is part of why national meets have no TV appeal. Get a few colorful outspoken love em or hate em types and it can only increase interest. People will tune in just to root against those guys. Others will tune to cheer them on and rub it in the face of those against. That is what helps create rivalries, thus increasing interest. Swimming needs a major kick in the trunks if it doesn;t want to fall further victim to title 9 and the bigger sports.
Imagine if there was this cocky arrogant 18 yr old phenom with tatoo's, brash behavior, and a huge ego, with talent that was equal to Phelps" I gaurantee that there would be a significant increase in interest in seeing these two go head to head. Look at what Ali did for boxing, he was hated or loved, mostly hated during his reign. He was the first to talk smack and get in the other guys' face, but he backed it up. TV ratings went through the roof for his fights, most of the viewers cheering against him. Then it dropped after him until Tyson came along, he had the same impact on the sport. If everyone in a sport is the same ole same ole and never against the grain it makes it dull. Let's face it, swimming is dull to watch with the acception of a few international meets. I say that swimming could use an infusion of more Gary Hall Jr types to offset the boy next door types. Think about it with an open mind.
