Did anyone see the new Gary Hall, Jr Barbarsol commerical. It is about time swimmers get some good endorsements besides Speedo and the other swimming apparel companies. Madison Ave has really come a long way in the last few years. You would never see a swimmer in a commerical a year after the Olympics before. It is nice to know that all the endorsements aren't going to Phelps even though the boy more than deserves whatever endorsements he get. I mean Phelps is out of this world.
Parents
Former Member
Hard to tell what point White Buffalo was emphasizing the most but you have to admit the thread certainly makes for a great argument.
Well, not being in the medical field, I have no idea if Gary's insulin shots helped him get bigger or stronger than he would have been without them. (Although, he's definitely a big guy.) I guess that's all secondary and unprovable in the end anyway.
His persona seems to be the primary issue at stake with most people. I'll tell you flat out, if I was Lezak, Phelps or Neil Walker, I'd have been pissed as **** at him in Athens. You don't need divisive team issues and seflish whining by one individual when you are facing the best competition in the world. It's a friggen war in that 400 free relay every 4 years and don't ever forget it. Losing to the Aussies initially in this event was beyond painful and beyond an embarassment. It was horrifying not winning in 2000 and again in 2004. It was the last America's cup event of the Olympics. You can't have peripheral crap and bitching going on in the background.
You swim for your country on National team relays and Olympic relays.... No one is above it........... you don't complain publicly while the whole event is going on either...... Note: Phelps seemed to grasp this concept quite nobly and easily........ I have to be honest with you, I was not impressed with Gary not showing up in the evening to watch his teamates. Unless he was in the hospital there really is no legitmate excuse for his behavior, and it's too bad as he is certainly one talented and strong 50 freestyler.
PS - I would have thought that given Gary's persona he'd have done the Barbasol shaving commercial Joe Namath style (a la 1960s) instead.... :-)
John Smith
Hard to tell what point White Buffalo was emphasizing the most but you have to admit the thread certainly makes for a great argument.
Well, not being in the medical field, I have no idea if Gary's insulin shots helped him get bigger or stronger than he would have been without them. (Although, he's definitely a big guy.) I guess that's all secondary and unprovable in the end anyway.
His persona seems to be the primary issue at stake with most people. I'll tell you flat out, if I was Lezak, Phelps or Neil Walker, I'd have been pissed as **** at him in Athens. You don't need divisive team issues and seflish whining by one individual when you are facing the best competition in the world. It's a friggen war in that 400 free relay every 4 years and don't ever forget it. Losing to the Aussies initially in this event was beyond painful and beyond an embarassment. It was horrifying not winning in 2000 and again in 2004. It was the last America's cup event of the Olympics. You can't have peripheral crap and bitching going on in the background.
You swim for your country on National team relays and Olympic relays.... No one is above it........... you don't complain publicly while the whole event is going on either...... Note: Phelps seemed to grasp this concept quite nobly and easily........ I have to be honest with you, I was not impressed with Gary not showing up in the evening to watch his teamates. Unless he was in the hospital there really is no legitmate excuse for his behavior, and it's too bad as he is certainly one talented and strong 50 freestyler.
PS - I would have thought that given Gary's persona he'd have done the Barbasol shaving commercial Joe Namath style (a la 1960s) instead.... :-)
John Smith
