Sullivan award

Back to the issue of money... when are swimmers going to be paid for their actual performances, like: golf, bowling, etc... It's always bothered me that people are considered professional for taking endorsements- I see people who get paid for specific, actual events (Augusta, TPC, etc) as professional. Swim meets don't offer purses!!!!!!! The only purse at a swim meet is the one I keep my wallet in. I'm just waiting for swimmers to be paid like basketball, baseball, etc. (I know it will never happen for too many reasons to mention here) By the way, speaking of athletes- I do not think baseball players are anywhere nearly as good OVERALL athletes as swimmers. Sure, one eye is a little off kilter (so they can see that fastball) and they can throw well, but I don't think their overall conditioning is impressive (albeit some of them are quite good looking :p) Anybody remember when Biondi and Jager had their sprint tour? They made some bucks with that... More ramblings from the sleep-deprived, looking to stay awake at work!

Originally posted by Karen Duggan when are swimmers going to be paid for their actual performances, like: golf, bowling, etc... When swim meets become somewhat more exciting than watching paint drying.

Exactly Geek! Gymnastics and swimming can't really be compared no. But in terms of dominace I think Michael beats Hamm hands down. Hamm potentially had a chance at eight medals (all around, team, and each of the six individual events) whereas, Michael actually won eight medals. Mike medaled in everything he swam. He has verastility (IM, fly, free) too. The all around medal in gymnastics is the most difficult to win no doubt. So that right there puts Paul in darn good company. I was a gymnast for about 10 years and so I will defend the sport of gymnastics and it's athletes. But I think Phelps is a better overall athlete than Paul. It's subjective no doubt and no there is not a way to easily state who is better. I remember Sports Illustrated ( I think) did a study about 10 years ago where they took tons of different athletes and had them try all the other sports. Gymnasts had the easiest time. To be a good gymnast you have to strong, flexible, agile, quick, and so on, skills that are no doubt helpful but not necessary to the same degree in every sport. Maybe that all sounds hypocritical, I don't know ... but with all that said, I still think Phelps is the better athlete probably also because I think he is just about the most talented athlete in the world. I don't think Mark Spitz could replicate his seven gold medals, and I don't mean at his current age - I mean if he was in his prime now I don't think he could do it. I believe he has stated that he couldn't because the competition is so much more difficult now. I guess more off of sheer dominance in the sport I would say Phelps is the better athlete. Not to take anything away from Hamm, because he is a tremendous athlete, has worked insanely hard, and DESERVED his gold medal.

Hamm has a funny little high squeaky voice also which counts against gymnastics as being a legit sport. originally posted by the geek Kinda like Kermit the Frog!.....How appropo! Newmastersswimmer

I also have personal issues with the Hamms that I won't get into here ... Kermit rocks! And don't dis the Chamois those things come in handy in long meets!

I guess I could let it slide this ONE time!........But I do still hate you none-the-less! (j/k of course!)......Actually I think you make a good point about Paul Hamm deserving the award....o.k....there I said it. Newmastersswimmer Thanks Jim!!

At the World Championships (SMC) that they had in Indy, didn't you get $15,000 if you broke the world record? I thought I'd heard or read somewhere that at certain meets the winners did get a monetary prize.

Originally posted by LindsayNB Of course, I wonder if FINA ought not be renamed FINP too. ;) Lindsay the NA in FINA is for “NATATION” which is French for swimming.

Please don't hate me originally posted by Seagurl Well....I think it's gone far beyond just the point of hatred now hasn't it??? (J/k of course) I am supposing your disagreement with me is ONLY over the issue of who deserves the award between Micheal and Paul?....b/c on the other issue of whether or not Paul deserved the Gold Medal.....I believe the stance I took in my original posting is in concordance with yours....right? Newmastersswimmer

Newmastersswimmer-- Yes, I was merely disagreeing with you on the fact that I don't think it's a terrible thing that Paul won. I was saying don't hate me, because this is a swimming site and I know that everyone was pulling for Michael.