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...
Someone took their innovative idea and made it better. Capitalism at its best. Sorry, Speedo, but get your scientists out of hibernation and maybe one day soon, you'll again have the best suits in the pool.
Absolutely correct. Speedo got beaten in the market, fair & square. It's just sad to see the greatness of capitalism (better products, better availability and, had it been left to continue unfettered, lower prices) now mired by the worst of corporate cronyism and protectionism cloaked under some guise of returning to the "purity of the sport." With their "unionized" sponsored swimmers whining, Speedo's starting to sound like the UAW.
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.
Yeah, but I was in Canada during the 2005 Worlds in Montreal and the CBC's coverage then was outstanding.
Someone took their innovative idea and made it better. Capitalism at its best. Sorry, Speedo, but get your scientists out of hibernation and maybe one day soon, you'll again have the best suits in the pool.
Absolutely correct. Speedo got beaten in the market, fair & square. It's just sad to see the greatness of capitalism (better products, better availability and, had it been left to continue unfettered, lower prices) now mired by the worst of corporate cronyism and protectionism cloaked under some guise of returning to the "purity of the sport." With their "unionized" sponsored swimmers whining, Speedo's starting to sound like the UAW.
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.
Yeah, but I was in Canada during the 2005 Worlds in Montreal and the CBC's coverage then was outstanding.