Originally posted by Scansy
This is definately a major deal.
So, if this is a major deal, wearing the wrong uniform or expressing concern over the coach's decision, what would be a major, major deal? This guy wears the wrong uniform, other athletes dope up, beat wives/girlfriends, etc.
C'mon, it's not like he is Bam Morris or Art Schliester or Kobe, for god's sake.
Amen to that post, well stated. We make our kids buy the exact same team suits, can we stop that silliness once we reach adulthood?
Hall is well spoken, entertaining and a big proponent of the sport. In one of his interviews he stated he was doing all he can to promote swimming. No other swimmer seems as devoted to swimming outside the pool as Hall, Jr. So, what do we do, we fine him for not wearing a silly costume?
Originally posted by Scansy
I agree with tjburk - the relay stunt told me a lot about Gary. Maybe Gary really isn't a self centered, whiny crybaby - but my only knowledge of his personality is that he did skip the race even though he was the alternate. If I ever met him in person, I would think he is the crybaby until I learned otherwise. This is definately a major deal.
Gary Hall is a Type I diabetic who was able to train 6 hours/day and win a gold medal. That in itself may be unprecedented and indicates, to me, incredible discipline and courage in the face of a crippling disease. He has shared his story with school children and fellow diabetics. And he has been a great supporter of swimming. The USOC may not cut him any slack, but I do.
The reason you wear uniforms in team sports is so you throw the ball to the right person. Tell me who was negatively impacted by Gary Hall, Jr's wardrobe in the individual 50 m free?
Please find something worthwhile to get crazy about. Applying football, baseball, basketball and football analogies to swimming is a slippery slope, at best.
Were you confused about which team he was on? I don't think you were. I don't understand the big deal. Swimming gets on stage once every 4 years and you are more concerned with a warm up outfit that promoting swimming. Get a grip, get a life.
For the record, he's on the US Team and won the gold medal, aren't you more happy about that?
Who cares what they wear to the blocks! If you want to talk team uniforms then why don't they all wear the same suits? Maybe we should force the American team to wear some cheesy stars and stripes suit like in '72. All of the swimmers looked sleek and fit in the water and represented our country well. If wearing that robe pumps GH JR up then so be it. A uniform doesn't make you uniform. I'm sure the 80 kajillian people watching knew he was from the US and probably enjoyed his antics. Save the uniforms for Saint Neptune of the Waves elementary school.
“I believe that he and Phelps have very similar times in the 100 free, Hall may be a few ticks faster even.”
Not true. Phelps had the 2nd fastest 100 Free amongst USA Swimmers in 2004, he just swam his at US Nationals instead of the O Trials. Hall was 4th (3rd at trials).
Geek, next you'll be saying that it's alright for individuals on football, baseball, basketball and hockey teams to be able to wear what they want. Totally destroys the "TEAM" concept. Webster's 3rd definition is: "marked by devotion to teamwork rather than individual acheivement". Not running off and pouting when you don't get your way, and then coming in and disrespecting the "TEAM" by wearing your own colors.
Geek, slippery slope my backside! We're talking "TEAM" Sports here! I don't know which thread you are thinking about! He is part of the United States of America SWIM "TEAM", he should have acted accordingly. He didn't, he got fined! End of story!
I think both sides have made many good points. All I will say is it was awesome to see Hall win the 50. One thing I did want to note was in some interviews on TV with other swimmers (Coughlin, Beard, and a few others), they made a point at naming multiple sponsors. Gary Hall, even with his heavy sponsorship, I've never seen him make sure he gets in his sponsors names in interviews.
