The only point I agree with is that Michael has yet to show longevity. All the other greats (Spitz aside) won medals in three Olympics. After 2012, all the doubters will shut up.
FYI, Hersh has a followup column on the topic. Michael is now number four on his list, still behind Lewis and Nurmi.
This article is even more offensive than the first one. It's obvious he has no respect for hard work or the sport of swimming. The fact that he was "very close" to the swim team makes me wonder if his comments stem more from sour grapes than from an objective analysis.
I do agree that Lewis is still ahead of Phelps, due to his longevity. We need to let some time pass before we sort it all out. Everyone looks good on the honeymoon.
The only point I agree with is that Michael has yet to show longevity.
I agree, and that should have been his point and he should have stopped there. Everything else is just unsupported jibberish.
I guess controversy sells ...
I assume you had that in mind when you wrote the thread subject line? The journalist didn't "dis" Phelps or "slam" swimming. He did demonstrate a lack of swimming knowledge and underestimate the difficulty in dominating in multiple swimming events but that doesn't really amount to slamming swimming.
As someone who is was pretty quick on land, and transitionedto Tri's, I have a unique perspective. I've also said condescending things about how swimmers take weeks of taper to swim a few hundred yards.
I just swam (poorly) at my first LCM; a total of 300 meters. I got home and slept until after 10am. I'm normally wake by 4:30. I swam my hardest, but when I race a 10K, Half marathon, sprint or Oyl Tri; I am never this wiped.
So as a Terran, I have to agree heartily, the number of medals are enough; swimming makes it much more.
The only point I agree with is that Michael has yet to show longevity. All the other greats (Spitz aside) won medals in three Olympics. After 2012, all the doubters will shut up.
Longevity, This is Michael's third Olympics. He got fifth in the 200 fly at Syndey. Ok, I know since he didn't medal, his doubters will say it doesn't count.
Mainstream Sports Radio hate to talk about swimming. Plus, they don't seem to do any research on the sport to begin with. Before Phelps came to town, I am pretty sure that they didn't know who Mark Spitz was. That is why they will say Bolt(sprint runner) is more amazing than Phelps(a middle distance, can do any event and get world records in his second tier events ie 200 free). There should be no comparisons. Bolt had a great Olympics but Phelps an over the top out of this world Olympics.
Maybe even more people would be talking about swimming if Phelps had turned over on his back at the flags coming into his finish on the 400 I.M., pumped a fist in the air, and kicked on his back into the wall.
Ridiculous. I'm still steaming about those articles I read earlier in this thread. :mad:
