Even if you lose to Phelps, you can still get more fame than by beating him. Look at Cavic, he is known throughout the US for his bad finish at the 100 fly in Beijing. If he would have beaten Phelps, people wouldn't be talking about that race six months later.
If Phelps loses, it shouldn't matter but the US mainstream sports media will rip him apart like nobody's business. They felt that his career should be over after bonghitgate but it is ok for someone like A-Roid to cheat on his wife, hire hookers and do steroids and get multiple second chances. But, Phelps loves to compete and swim the crap out of everyone so he will still be the King of Swimming for as long as he wants.
Phelps always comes back, with timeliness and grace.
He didn't look very graceful after his 200 fly in either Beijing or Indy earlier this month.
No question Phelps is the ultimate gamer, though. I think Biedermann will make it a race, but I'd still put my money on Phelps.
Phelps has shown plenty of fly speed recently (100 fly WR and within 1/2 sec of his 200 fly WR). But his freestyle doesn't have the same speed right now. I hope he makes it happen in finals.
His freestyle doesn't have the same speed right now. I hope he makes it happen in finals.
His 100 freestyle was 47 on the relay... The race will be interesting!:bliss:
I hear Speedo has a special suit for him in the finals that is guaranteed to set a new WR. I got a photo of it from and "insider" at Speedo. :D
i266.photobucket.com/.../aquaman.jpg
Phelps content with 2nd in 200 free heats By ANDREW DAMPF (AP) – 3 hours ago
ROME — Michael Phelps was unconcerned about posting only the second fastest time in morning heats for the 200-meter freestyle at the world championships Monday.
Paul Biedermann of Germany beat the swimmer who won a record eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics. Phelps won the final heat, but Biedermann's time in the previous heat was faster. "That's fine. I'll be in the first heat tonight," Phelps said, looking ahead to the evening semifinals.
"That'll do pig. That'll do." said Coach Bowman as Phelps exited the pool.
Making the call -- Phelps will go down in the 200 Free to Biedermann.....:bump:
I would be more impressed if you made that call before the 400. If you convert his improvement in the 400 to the 200 he'll be well under the WR.
Man, Biedermann's final 50 was a smoking 25.70.
That's fast all right.
Even more amazing: he came back in 25.77 in the 400. That is faster than the FIRST 50 of all eight finalists (including Biedermann himself). The man can bring a race home.
Interesting idea. If he went a 1:41.99 with Jaked, you think people would stop saying it's the swimmer not the suit.
I think that Speedo would sue his butt if he put on one of those suits on. It is so funny how swimmers are not screwed if they don't get an endorsement by Speedo now. I assume that Peirsol got a monster deal from Arena as their way to get back in the US market.
