I think the decision to award Hamm is not the right one.Michael deserved that one a lot more, besides I think the following statement is entirely pathetic:"Hamm also withstood a challenge by South Korea claiming that the gold medal should be awarded to Yang Tae-Young after it was discovered he was incorrectly scored during the all-around final."So now he is being awarded for holding on to the medal that someone else should have won due to the outrageous mistake.He acted like a little boy who sneaked someone else's candy and was reluctant to give it away even when caught.I think he should have given the medal to the sout korean.
And then it is Michael PHelps: not only did he haul a miriad of medals and set a world record, but also showed the spirit of sportsmanship by letting his team mate(Ian Crocker) have a chance at the medal on the relay team...
Anyways, here's the link:
swiminfo.com/.../9345.asp
Former Member
Originally posted by aquageek
I have been reading more on this award on various websites. Appears the voting was incredibly close between Phelps and Hamm. Apparently, Phelps lost by .08.
Wow, that's amazing. I would have hated to be on that judging committee. There have been so many incredible athletic performances this year, I can't even imagine what it would be like to have to pick just one.
Originally posted by Fritz
You think Paul Hamm hasn't made any money by being a gymnast?
I'm not that familiar with Paul Hamm's history, perhaps he should not have been considered either. That doesn't change the fact that I can think of no definition of amateur that would cover Phelps.
Of course, I wonder if FINA ought not be renamed FINP too. ;)
Originally posted by LindsayNB
Exactly what definition of amateur are they using that Phelps would even qualify as an amateur athlete?
You think Paul Hamm hasn't made any money by being a gymnast?
Originally posted by SwiminONandON
Going back to the Sullivan award, I do think Phelps is the better athelte, I also agree that I wouldn't describe Phelps as an ammature athlete, Paul Hamm either. He has some endoresment deals, too.
Just curious, how do you compare gymnastics and Swimming?
I was struck by the fact that you think Phelps is a better athlete.
How can you tell? It's like comparing apples and oranges..
J.
Not that I agree or disagree, just curious as to how you came to that conclusion..
ahhhh... well, put it that way I suppose I see your point.
Thanks for the explanation!
I didn't really think about the fact that Phelps did in fact pretty much dominate the sport (at least during the last olympics)
Interesting comparison!
Jeanette..
I think I still throw up my hands as to who's the better athlete. :rolleyes:
Jeanette.
Heather,
btw.. I like your kermit icon.. I had a friend who used to dive with me and at all the diving meets she would bring her Kermit as a good luck charm... I loved it!
Her name was Heather as well!
Hamm has a funny little high squeaky voice also which counts against gymnastics as being a legit sport. Kind of like how diving is excluded from serious consideration due to the use of those silly little chamois things to dry off.
I have to agree..
the chamois are key to diving.. I was a diver before I started swimming.
When you are constantly getting in and out of the water and standing still for awhile before you do a dive again, It really helps if you're dry, especially if you need your muscles to be warmed up for the next dive, and it's an outside pool and it's windy! Using a towell doesn't work. It gets soaking wet. chamois work like a charm!
ps. they're great for backpacking too!
