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...
It was poor behavior.
Everyone realizes that part of the success of greats like Phelps, Armstrong, Jordan, etc is their ultra-hyper-competitiveness that drives them every day. In their prime, they aren't very accustomed to losing at all, never mind with grace. I don't think Phelps or Bowman ever seriously considered the possibility that Phelps could lose.
Everyone has been damning Phelps and he deserves it. But IMO Bowman behaved at least as badly, and in his role as coach and mentor he should be doing a lot better. Phelps is still pretty immature, and it shows; he depends on Bowman, who I believe serves as a surrogate father-figure, to teach him better behavior. Snippy temper tantrums don't do that very well.
Here is a story comparing the behavior of another poor loser (LeBron James) to that of the greatest basketball player ever.
www.slate.com/.../
It was poor behavior.
Everyone realizes that part of the success of greats like Phelps, Armstrong, Jordan, etc is their ultra-hyper-competitiveness that drives them every day. In their prime, they aren't very accustomed to losing at all, never mind with grace. I don't think Phelps or Bowman ever seriously considered the possibility that Phelps could lose.
Everyone has been damning Phelps and he deserves it. But IMO Bowman behaved at least as badly, and in his role as coach and mentor he should be doing a lot better. Phelps is still pretty immature, and it shows; he depends on Bowman, who I believe serves as a surrogate father-figure, to teach him better behavior. Snippy temper tantrums don't do that very well.
Here is a story comparing the behavior of another poor loser (LeBron James) to that of the greatest basketball player ever.
www.slate.com/.../
