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
But I ponder, what is really special about swimming versus any other sport and is our sport morally superior to others?
"Morally superior?" I don't see how we can say this about our sport. (Well, okay, unlike some other sports, we don't have to physically harm other people in pursuit of our goals. At least, not usually.)
But as far as what is special, the following come to mind and I'm sure others can add to them. In no particular order:
-- It is potentially a life-saving skill
-- It is a whole-body sport, which is healthy
-- It is a low-impact sport that can be enjoyed into a ripe old age
-- Related to this, one can begin at any age even if one is, ahem, pretty overweight, with less risk of injury
-- Swimming is good exercise and physical therapy for people with a number of common chronic ailments (eg arthritis, back problems, knee problems) and injuries
-- It plain feels good to be in the water
But I ponder, what is really special about swimming versus any other sport and is our sport morally superior to others?
"Morally superior?" I don't see how we can say this about our sport. (Well, okay, unlike some other sports, we don't have to physically harm other people in pursuit of our goals. At least, not usually.)
But as far as what is special, the following come to mind and I'm sure others can add to them. In no particular order:
-- It is potentially a life-saving skill
-- It is a whole-body sport, which is healthy
-- It is a low-impact sport that can be enjoyed into a ripe old age
-- Related to this, one can begin at any age even if one is, ahem, pretty overweight, with less risk of injury
-- Swimming is good exercise and physical therapy for people with a number of common chronic ailments (eg arthritis, back problems, knee problems) and injuries
-- It plain feels good to be in the water
