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
I know local swim clubs and USA Swimming have been expecting an increase in membership following the Olympics, perhaps even greater than in past Olympic years due to Phelps' popularity. Does anyone know whether that has been realized? The time to join seems to have been the beginning of the fall short course season in September or so. I wonder whether any increases in USA registrations have been equally split among boys and girls.
I know local swim clubs and USA Swimming have been expecting an increase in membership following the Olympics, perhaps even greater than in past Olympic years due to Phelps' popularity. Does anyone know whether that has been realized? The time to join seems to have been the beginning of the fall short course season in September or so. I wonder whether any increases in USA registrations have been equally split among boys and girls.
