One would think that his mother, a school principal, would know a bit about that, but her reaction to Biedermann's thumping of her son in the 200 free was one of disgust and disdain
Do we know exactly what she was reacting to and why?? Could she have been dissapointed that he lost the race - soundly - and that his time away, the suspension, and lack of longer term focused training was the reason he did poorly (by comparison) - could she have been more dissapointed in her son? I don't recall an interview with her where she took any shots at Biederman. His sisters reaction, well that's another thing.
Biederman was extremely gracious and Phelps was not after the 200 free. But Cavic did a lot more than needle him. And a lot of people were ready to bury Phelps after the 200 free - the 200 fly notwithstanding.
As for hating him, there are many who are not Phelps fans for a variety of reasons and while respecting his abilities, may be tired of his winning most of the time - any one who dominates a sport experiences that (Tiger, Federer, the Williams sisters). Is he arrogant vs confident? - as Larry Bird said "it ain't bragging if you can back it up". And I have yet to see Phelps shoot his mouth off before any meet - and if he believes in his own mind that he's the best and works to keep that edge - isn't that one of the first rules of dominating your sport/job?? Personally, I want Lochte and Piersol to rule the backstroke and Lochte to vie for the IM records. Even if just for variety and national pride and competetion.
Is any athlete a poster child for excellent behavior 100% of the time – NO. If you thought Phelps showed poor sportsmanship at the end of the race – fair criticism – I think referring to him as a donkey and apelike and a *** is a bit extreme - would you have referred to Muhammad Ali in the same manner after what he did and said about the second fight with Liston? I don't recall that ending with a lot of love.
One would think that his mother, a school principal, would know a bit about that, but her reaction to Biedermann's thumping of her son in the 200 free was one of disgust and disdain
Do we know exactly what she was reacting to and why?? Could she have been dissapointed that he lost the race - soundly - and that his time away, the suspension, and lack of longer term focused training was the reason he did poorly (by comparison) - could she have been more dissapointed in her son? I don't recall an interview with her where she took any shots at Biederman. His sisters reaction, well that's another thing.
Biederman was extremely gracious and Phelps was not after the 200 free. But Cavic did a lot more than needle him. And a lot of people were ready to bury Phelps after the 200 free - the 200 fly notwithstanding.
As for hating him, there are many who are not Phelps fans for a variety of reasons and while respecting his abilities, may be tired of his winning most of the time - any one who dominates a sport experiences that (Tiger, Federer, the Williams sisters). Is he arrogant vs confident? - as Larry Bird said "it ain't bragging if you can back it up". And I have yet to see Phelps shoot his mouth off before any meet - and if he believes in his own mind that he's the best and works to keep that edge - isn't that one of the first rules of dominating your sport/job?? Personally, I want Lochte and Piersol to rule the backstroke and Lochte to vie for the IM records. Even if just for variety and national pride and competetion.
Is any athlete a poster child for excellent behavior 100% of the time – NO. If you thought Phelps showed poor sportsmanship at the end of the race – fair criticism – I think referring to him as a donkey and apelike and a *** is a bit extreme - would you have referred to Muhammad Ali in the same manner after what he did and said about the second fight with Liston? I don't recall that ending with a lot of love.
