Phelps in a class of his own.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:39:12 GMT

The commentators said that after the Olympics Phelps is taking a break from swimming until February. Phelps and Bowman both made a comment about it.....

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:40:59 GMT

Interesting viewpoint on Phelps' 8G quest. blogs.telegraph.co.uk/.../why_michael_phelps_should_not_be_allowed_eight_gold_medals Dog in the manger, Stud. It seems to me, if he can do it, he should be allowed to do it. The Olympics are about the best competing with the best. That said, Crocker shouldn't give one iota of mercy...let the chips fall where they may. :2cents: At some point, the guy is going to want to discover life outside the pool.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

mctrusty — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:36:07 GMT

At some point, the guy is going to want to discover life outside the pool. The commentators said that after the Olympics Phelps is taking a break from swimming until February.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:18:47 GMT

Chad Johnson is a better athlete Chad Johson or Chuck Norris?..that's the real question. I didn't say anything other than the article was interesting. I see the guy's point (comparing it to running etc) and like the idea of Phelps having a crack at the distance events--would you bet against him? Phelps is a phenomenal swimmer. He's a freak of nature. It really isn't "fair" for the rest of the field that is he able to do as many events as he can but that's how it goes. I prefer to see tight races that go to the wire not 1 guy blowing everyone away and the rest all coming in close 2 secs behind (I know not all of Phelp's swims are like that). If Phelps won all 8 golds by just out touching the pack and not being a far superior swimmer--I'd find it much more exciting. I'm more just fed up with the barrage by NBC but admittedly they're more into pumping up the masses on national fever than showcasing fantastic swimming. All credit to Mr Phelps though, it is still slew of events and he can't slip up--plus he's a genuiniely nice kid it seems.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:11:48 GMT

Did anyone catch the actual wording of michael's "break from swimming" until february? I wonder if this means a break from competition, a break from hard practices, or a 6-month hiatus from jumping in a pool. for some reason, i just can't see michael spending that much time on land-imagine how many broken bones he would get those months while trying to adjust to dry land!

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:04:20 GMT

I would love to see Phelps go 3:38 in the 400Fr at worlds 2010, lower both backstrokes and then blow the world away in the 100 ***... Maybe then we could mention him in the same sentence with Chad Johnson who is obviously a much better athlete....:shakeshead: Chad Johnson is a better athlete

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:18:58 GMT

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 07:24:50 GMT

As a swimmer, I can really enjoy the amazing feat that is about to commence as of this weekend, it really looks like Phelps is going to at least tie Spitz. However, my husband is a non-swimmer and has enjoyed watching swimming with me this week - but when he sees Phelps win over and over again - he says it's boring to watch. I have to admit it is a bit monotonous, but the guy is a horse... I wonder what it feels like to get up on that podium over and over again. Must be nice. Frank- My husband had me listen to that Johnson interview last night... we both just laughed our way thru it. I'm sure he can beat Tiger Woods and Kobe at their respective sports as well. ;)

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:52:00 GMT

Yep...Phelps has done enough. I remember the first month after I quit swimming in college. First time in a decade I'd taken so much time away from the pool. I really wish this for Phelps...He has earned it.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:10:52 GMT

I heard that, but that's not what I meant. He's devoted his life to swimming. He will, I hope, at some point dial it back so that he can...date, sleep in, escape for a weekend - normal stuff. He seems like a decent guy - the softie in me wants him to get to partake in life a little.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

zanadu — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 04:53:51 GMT

The commentators said that after the Olympics Phelps is taking a break from swimming until February.After Phelps wins his 8th gold in the relay he should do a 200 fly time trial and break 1:51..

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Frank Thompson — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:03:13 GMT

Interesting viewpoint on Phelps' 8G quest. blogs.telegraph.co.uk/.../why_michael_phelps_should_not_be_allowed_eight_gold_medals SwimStud: I just know you can't agree with this guy. Any swimmer that has ever swam in any organizied competition at any level knows this guy is just trashing what Phelps has done. If he knew anything about the World professional level that Phelps is swimming and how no swimmers ever have attemped this and that fact that he is going to break a 36 year old record does not say much for this guys intelligence of swimming. I think the comments from the people reading the article pretty much explain that this guy is out of it. This is almost as STUPID as what Chad Johnson, who is the wide receiver of the Cincinnati Bengals said yesterday on ESPN show PTI, that he didn't think Phelps was that good and that swimmers in the hood from where he grew up, given the chance and opportunites, could match and beat Phelps easily and what he was doing was no big deal. In fact he said that he was champion swimmer and he could beat Phelps. drfunkenberry.wordpress.com/.../

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:58:18 GMT

Interesting viewpoint on Phelps' 8G quest. blogs.telegraph.co.uk/.../why_michael_phelps_should_not_be_allowed_eight_gold_medals

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:56:27 GMT

3 golds and 3 world records! The man is a machine. And he has a very real possibility of breaking at least 3 more records in his remaining 3 individual events. Is it going to be like Worlds last year when he was swimming PB's 'which just happened to be world records, too'! Try to envisage the focus, dedication and hard work it must take to become the best in the world in just one event. Now imagine doing that five times. What's more is that he has the potential to medal in events he hasn't even entered. 400 free? 200 back? He truly is an amazing all rounder. Oh, and I forgot to add: Phelps is now the owner of the American Record for the100m Free at 47.51. Well, for now anyway.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

rtodd — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:27:10 GMT

No way ... he is extremely talented (obviously) but there is no way he could hang with Hansen/Kitajima/etc. in breaststroke. I think he has said he wants to final at Nationals - that I'm sure could happen. Hey FlyQueen, are you kidding? He could do it no problem if he decided to. He is just too busy with other events. He needs to throw someone a bone. Right now it's the 400m free and the *** stroke guys. If he gets bored he will likely lower the 400 free, both backs (real close to the 100), then think about the lowering the 100/200 *** as a goof before he retires. I'm convinced he is that good.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:02:46 GMT

If you see some of these guys in person you won't think they're "skinny." Phelps is lean for sure, but he's kind of a monster. See the espn ad where Stuart Scott uses his medal for a coaster; look at phelps' back...not "skinny" No, he's skinny. Compare to Lezak, for example.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 14:41:05 GMT

Is it just me or was the anthem really screwed up for Phelps medal ceremony? It sounded like the beginning was cut off, then it seemed to repeat once and then was cut off at the end?

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

FlyQueen — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 10:42:35 GMT

He has said he doesn't want to swim anything over a 200 past this Olympics, but you never know. I could see him breaking WRs in 100/200 back, 100 fly if he doesn't here, 100 free but no way does he get breaststroke WRs ... not even close ...

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

rtodd — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:54:37 GMT

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:21:11 GMT

I thought I heard him, or someone say that was his last 400IM? Is that true? will he swim in 2012? Will he dump his current events and then decide to break the WR in the 400 free and 100/200 *** and 100/200 back? Yes. He said in an interview after he won gold in the 400IM that this would probably be his last.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

tjrpatt — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:40:30 GMT

I think that it is a given that skinny guys can swim fast. I like how that one guy won the 50 and 100 free at Trials and maybe had a few pouunds over Lezak and a few others. Plus, Phelps is still on the skinny side. Then again, all these swimmers looks skinny to me as someone looks like a football player than a swimmer.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:37:14 GMT

I think he has said he wants to final at Nationals - that I'm sure could happen. It has happened. He got second by a touch by Gangloff at SC nationals. He's been 1:02 in major US LCM competition.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:34:24 GMT

Plus, Phelps is still on the skinny side. If you see some of these guys in person you won't think they're "skinny." Phelps is lean for sure, but he's kind of a monster. See the espn ad where Stuart Scott uses his medal for a coaster; look at phelps' back...not "skinny" That said, some of the distance guys of old weren't broad or bulky. You can have a slight build and be fast as long as your hands are big and you have a crazy metabolism.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

Former Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:22:02 GMT

I bet he goes sub WR in every event, and I wouldn't put sub 50 in the 100 fly out of the realm of possibilities.

RE: Phelps in a class of his own.

ddunbar — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 07:48:00 GMT

With his retiring from the event, when will we see a sub 4:00 minute 400 IM?