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...
I disagree. There is nothing that says you have to be a boorish dope when you lose, no matter how great you were/are. I think this is simply another in a long line of immature behavior by Phelps.
I agree as well and am not surprised. When I saw MP on one of the late-night shows after the Olympics, he did not compliment his competition even once. The host gave him a bunch of easy opportunities to say, "everyone swam really well, and it's great to be among such a strong group of competitors who have pushed me to achieve my very best," but he did not rise to any of them. Just kept grinning and repeating how hard he'd worked and how great he felt.
I disagree. There is nothing that says you have to be a boorish dope when you lose, no matter how great you were/are. I think this is simply another in a long line of immature behavior by Phelps.
I agree as well and am not surprised. When I saw MP on one of the late-night shows after the Olympics, he did not compliment his competition even once. The host gave him a bunch of easy opportunities to say, "everyone swam really well, and it's great to be among such a strong group of competitors who have pushed me to achieve my very best," but he did not rise to any of them. Just kept grinning and repeating how hard he'd worked and how great he felt.
