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
I think the lack of minority presence in US swimming has less to do with finances than some might think, as they are constantly bussing poor kids to the YMCA I used to swim at to take a dump in the pool (before anybody gets riled up--I have every reason to believe white kids had an equal part in soiling my pool; my point being is that I think access is there if it is wanted).
Swimming is one of the hardest sports out there. You swim for 4 hours a day for a few minute race. As an example, why does Paul Smith swim a 50 when he can swim a great mile. For the real reason, you could ask him, but I submit it is because he doesn't have to. If one was good at basketball or football with the possibility of more scholarships, adoring fans, and cash, why would a kid choose swimming (I give you Kiki Vandewegh--Portland Trailblazers circa 1980s who had one of the oldest age-group national swimming records in the books--like 15 years for the 50 Back--we know what he chose but he may not be the best example as he was--and still is--a whitey.)
Ken, you can close the door and pretend not to hear us knocking, but we'll be back--as Dennis Hopper once said in the only good line from waterworld, "Well, if it isn't the gentleman guppie, you're like a turd that won't flush.":angel:
I think the lack of minority presence in US swimming has less to do with finances than some might think, as they are constantly bussing poor kids to the YMCA I used to swim at to take a dump in the pool (before anybody gets riled up--I have every reason to believe white kids had an equal part in soiling my pool; my point being is that I think access is there if it is wanted).
Swimming is one of the hardest sports out there. You swim for 4 hours a day for a few minute race. As an example, why does Paul Smith swim a 50 when he can swim a great mile. For the real reason, you could ask him, but I submit it is because he doesn't have to. If one was good at basketball or football with the possibility of more scholarships, adoring fans, and cash, why would a kid choose swimming (I give you Kiki Vandewegh--Portland Trailblazers circa 1980s who had one of the oldest age-group national swimming records in the books--like 15 years for the 50 Back--we know what he chose but he may not be the best example as he was--and still is--a whitey.)
Ken, you can close the door and pretend not to hear us knocking, but we'll be back--as Dennis Hopper once said in the only good line from waterworld, "Well, if it isn't the gentleman guppie, you're like a turd that won't flush.":angel:
