What does it mean when we look at the performance of the US men's swimming team at Beijing without Phelps....... i.e. without the man carrying the team? Is he merely the "Vince Young" of a slightly above average football Team?
We essentially lose the 400 free relay, 100 fly (Ian moves form 4th to 3rd), 200 IM and 400 IM (Lochted moves to silver), 200 free and 200 fly. That's makes 6 less golds and one extra bronze.
The US would effectively only win 2 individual events...... the 200 and 100 back.
Is Phelps a true representation of the state of US men's swimming or and exception?
www.nbcolympics.com/.../index.html
Parents
Former Member
You're only as strong as your weakest link, and whether we want to admit it to ourselves our not some performances at the Games this year were a little lackluster. I adore all those boys and their all amazing, but what happened to some of them? Hansen especially just didn't seem him self. I think the real test will be next Games. I think Lochte is still growing and it will be interesting to see what he can do when he's not sick. But a few of the other greats seemed this games to be on the way out and their status for the next four years is unsure.
Phelps obviously dominates and without we would have shuffled medals, but some of them might have been better races. He wins by such great margins that you can forget about the really close race for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We might actually end up with more exciting race....though obviously he still brings a flair that people are going to watch forever. It's cool to see someone win by 3 body lengths.
You're only as strong as your weakest link, and whether we want to admit it to ourselves our not some performances at the Games this year were a little lackluster. I adore all those boys and their all amazing, but what happened to some of them? Hansen especially just didn't seem him self. I think the real test will be next Games. I think Lochte is still growing and it will be interesting to see what he can do when he's not sick. But a few of the other greats seemed this games to be on the way out and their status for the next four years is unsure.
Phelps obviously dominates and without we would have shuffled medals, but some of them might have been better races. He wins by such great margins that you can forget about the really close race for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. We might actually end up with more exciting race....though obviously he still brings a flair that people are going to watch forever. It's cool to see someone win by 3 body lengths.
