I am really in an inflammatory mood and am going to say a couple of things on my mind.
First, regarding Speedo's sponsorship of Phelps three words come to mind that they might consider using in their next media blitz for selling suits to worshipers of the sport: Loser, poor sport and quitter.
Loser: in my mind, Phelps finished second in the 200 free but the average Joe sixpack will call that a loss. Hence, loser.
Poor Sport: it's been mentioned already in another thread that Phelps wouldn't even look at Biedermann after his loss. And we vilified Kitajima for his behavior? Hmmm.
Quitter: Bowman says he shouldn't swim until the suits are banned and Phelps says Bowman knows best. It's great to stick by your sponsor but shouldn't good ethical values trump your coaches view on occasion?
Second, regarding the 'great coaches' opinions: Schubert wants to place an asterisk by all records with the new suits. Bowman says it's all right to go back to 2007, before the LZR was introduced.
Doesn't that mean that all Phelps medals at Beijing are invalid? Or, at least, should have a star by the listing? How does Mark Spitz feel about that? What about Ian Thrope's comment that Phelps could never beat Spitz' record? Since Phelps is the Speedo poster boy for the LZR and, as noted elsewhere in the Forums, beat Crocker's record in a full body suit shouldn't he be ashamed?
My opinion of the whole lot has dropped tangibly. Personally, I'm ashamed to have cheered for Phelps during his career. He embarasses me...
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..ts and Canadian CBC
Last Sunday our Glorious CBC (a station made for their staff to travel to all World events for a few days before, during and after the event, to give us two hours (minus annoying commercials, minus annoying interviews with the Canadian athletes, minus even more annoying travelogues narrated by (who else?) of coverage. So this past Sunday all I got in Canada was diving, some water-ballet (call me old-fashioned) and very little water-polo (which I would have enjoyed.) Nothing, nada re swimming until next Sunday, where we will get maybe 20 minutes of actual swimming.
On the other hand, NBC this last Sunday had a better coverage of swimming (but I had to listen to Rowdy Gaines who is just as annoying as our own Steve Armitage, albeit 25 octaves higher than Steve.)
Then I console myself that UniversalSports will have live (or taped) coverage during the week. However, living in Canada, I can get to watch UniversalSports' commercials but not the footage (not valid in my area.)
There's just no way to get any respect as a Canadian Swimmer/swimming fan.
..ts and Canadian CBC
Last Sunday our Glorious CBC (a station made for their staff to travel to all World events for a few days before, during and after the event, to give us two hours (minus annoying commercials, minus annoying interviews with the Canadian athletes, minus even more annoying travelogues narrated by (who else?) of coverage. So this past Sunday all I got in Canada was diving, some water-ballet (call me old-fashioned) and very little water-polo (which I would have enjoyed.) Nothing, nada re swimming until next Sunday, where we will get maybe 20 minutes of actual swimming.
On the other hand, NBC this last Sunday had a better coverage of swimming (but I had to listen to Rowdy Gaines who is just as annoying as our own Steve Armitage, albeit 25 octaves higher than Steve.)
Then I console myself that UniversalSports will have live (or taped) coverage during the week. However, living in Canada, I can get to watch UniversalSports' commercials but not the footage (not valid in my area.)
There's just no way to get any respect as a Canadian Swimmer/swimming fan.
