Besides Phelps athletic ability, something really impressive is how he has handled life. We've read in recent articles about how his father left the family when Michael was young and how his dad has not had much communication with him. In many young men, this could seriously result in self-doubt. Isn't it impressive how Michael has maintained a belief in himself yet been so humble?
He also has ADHD, at least he did as a child, so is it not extremely impressive how he has been able to overcome this and keep his focus? I read somewhere that he asked his mom to take him off his medication when he was only 11.
Michael has had to overcome things in life that some people might use as an excuse for their misbehavior or as an explaination for their failure to succeed. In light of all of this, aren't the 8 golds all the more impressive?
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Former Member
I see Phelps as an athletic phenomenon, from a scientific perspective. I agree that he had a lot of advantages to start with, in terms of his genes. Great coaching, early mastering of techinque and some hard work allowed him to come close to his potential, which is very high due to his body. And he seems like a nice, humble guy.
But I'm not sure he should be presented as a role model. Most of the elite swimmers I knew ended up not being as successful at anything else after college. When I arrived at college, the guys on my team were collectively the most immature group of people I met in college. To pursue swimming at the expense of all else seems like a poor decision based on the time and energy it requires and the chances of making it at the professional level. There is more to growing up than learning hard work and discipline for 20 hours a week. I'm more of an "everything in moderation" advocate-- sometimes I actually regret how much time I spent swimming between the ages of 7 and 20.
Phelps is sure fun to watch and he is inspiring, but I think he should be seen for what he is- a guy with a lot of talent at the far end of the bell curve- and not someone to model your life after.
I see Phelps as an athletic phenomenon, from a scientific perspective. I agree that he had a lot of advantages to start with, in terms of his genes. Great coaching, early mastering of techinque and some hard work allowed him to come close to his potential, which is very high due to his body. And he seems like a nice, humble guy.
But I'm not sure he should be presented as a role model. Most of the elite swimmers I knew ended up not being as successful at anything else after college. When I arrived at college, the guys on my team were collectively the most immature group of people I met in college. To pursue swimming at the expense of all else seems like a poor decision based on the time and energy it requires and the chances of making it at the professional level. There is more to growing up than learning hard work and discipline for 20 hours a week. I'm more of an "everything in moderation" advocate-- sometimes I actually regret how much time I spent swimming between the ages of 7 and 20.
Phelps is sure fun to watch and he is inspiring, but I think he should be seen for what he is- a guy with a lot of talent at the far end of the bell curve- and not someone to model your life after.
