Is was long time since Michael Gross, Kristin Otto. I guess, they worked out their way and brought on top their best swimmer. We wait for women 100 free.
Don't put Biedermann in the same category as Otto. She was on steroids.
The german team women (they had a great relay swim and men both look good this year.
Biedermann suit or not had a great swim, maybe the swim of his life.
Phelps has not looked sharp this year. Dara neither. (maybe too many personal appearences who knows.) ok, not crucify me but it is true.
I am much more interested in the Cavic/phelps match up.
:2cents:
I think Phelps is just a stubborn idiot regarding the suits -- "I am going to stand by my sponsor" ??? What kind of BS is that -- there is no benefit for Speedo to see him lose in the LZR.
I think it's honorable that he's standing by his sponsor, but I think he's conflicted over it and he's being a pretty bad sport. I don't even think he so much as looked at Biedermann after the race. I'm sure part of it is that he's grumpy over the suits and he likes to win, but come on, at least practice some basic sportsmanship.
Biederman explained in the interview with her that he won because Phelps didn't seem to be in top shape.
Phelps was only 0.26 seconds slower than he was in Beijing, so I'd say he's in top shape. I'm sure he would have been even a little faster today if it hadn't been clear that the race was over during the final 50.
I think Phelps is just a stubborn idiot regarding the suits -- "I am going to stand by my sponsor" ??? What kind of BS is that -- there is no benefit for Speedo to see him lose in the LZR.
He is going down tomorrow as well ... he can put on the Jaked at any time - nobody is stopping him except his stubborness - but to look all grumpy and blame the suit ??
You can cry about all the records being broken and I agree with much of that - but every swimmer as any suit available - if you choose not to wear it, you can't blame anybody but yourself. Standing principle would be wearing a regular speedo ...
What if the US would have lost the relay by a tenth ? What if the Russians beat the US in the 800 Free relay - I am sure everybody can be happy that he is standing by his sponsor then.
By the way -- the Germans were not allowed to wear the LZR last year at the Olympics - the addidas suits last year were terrible.
I agree. However, I think it is more Speedo's money than principle at this point that keeps him from putting on a better suit. I have to say I loved the disapproving look on mama Phelp's face after the 200 free final. Only a school principal could convey that much scorn and disapproval without saying a word. I bet Thorpe's mom had a similar look on her face too. How could you cheat my little boy in front of the whole world and get away with it? The look was just priceless.
Tim
Bowman, regarding the advantages of the tech suits.
They'd better if they want Phelps around. His coach, Bob Bowman, said he might just withhold the sport's star attraction from any meets until the new rules are implemented.
"We've lost all the history of the sport,'' Bowman said. "Does a 10-year-old boy in Baltimore want to break Paul Biedermann's record? Is that going to make him join swimming?''
What?! So, just because Phelps doesn't win, 10-year-old boys in Baltimore are choosing other sports over swimming?
When I was a boy, growing up in Baltimore, I wanted to be like Michael Gross, the German butterflyer. Just because an American wasn't the star didn't discourage me from wanting to swim.
Boys and girls of all ages need to learn how to win as well as lose. These are valuable lessons.
I am definitely excited to see these world-class swimmers competing in jammers.
According to swimnews, Phelps won't compete in int'l competition until the suit ban takes effect, per Bowman's order.
I doubt beidermann would have won the race LZR v LZR, but it really makes no difference because others will hold the opposite view with each side being equally unprovable. Either way this silliness is going to stop soon. I feel the same way about this swim as I do about Kukor's....yawn.
Yes, this is exactly what I was saying. I was saying that becasue he dropped 4 seconds from Beijing and even commented himself that the suits make him faster and actually was quoted that when the new rules come into play that he hopes he can keep this up I was actually saying I could do better. Thank you for clarifying my post.
Good response. jazzhands is a good guy though, probably wrote without thinking. We all do it....
That was not an amazing swim. That was the the equivalent of doping. A 4 second drop from his best time due to a suit. A four second drop from a time that he held for 3 straight years so any argument that he was improving and this was just the next step is garbage. Swimming just lost a fan until the new rules are put into effect.
It was a super human swim. I go back to other discussions that we have here about time drops...this is literally unbelievable for a person at the highest level of our sport to drop that amount of time..suit or no suit. This is what we expect of 12 & unders, occasional high school swimmers or late starters...
4 seconds in a 200?
