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'll repeat what I said earlier: I think everyone is being way too hard on Phelps. Phelps was beaten by a swimmer that was not even in his league until this week. No elite swimmer who has presumably been training at a very high level for years suddenly drops 4 seconds at the age of 23. It just does not happen. I would hope that I would smile and nod and shake the other fellow's hand. But I will not judge Phelps for his reaction. Everyone seems to forget that Phelps blamed himself, and his own alleged lack of training, in the press conference. I think Phelps is being too hard on himself - he came within .3 of his WR in the 200 freestyle, probably his most remarkable swim from the Olympics. Phelps was in fine shape. Biedermann had one of the most remarkable performances in swimming history, and just happens to be wearing a suit that will be illegal in four months.
And to give Biedermann credit, he has admitted the advantage the suit gives him. He would like get rid of them too I think. I don't blame him for doing everything in his power, legally, to win. But neither do I blame Phelps and his coach for pointing out the obvious inequities.
I'll repeat what I said earlier: I think everyone is being way too hard on Phelps. Phelps was beaten by a swimmer that was not even in his league until this week. No elite swimmer who has presumably been training at a very high level for years suddenly drops 4 seconds at the age of 23. It just does not happen. I would hope that I would smile and nod and shake the other fellow's hand. But I will not judge Phelps for his reaction. Everyone seems to forget that Phelps blamed himself, and his own alleged lack of training, in the press conference. I think Phelps is being too hard on himself - he came within .3 of his WR in the 200 freestyle, probably his most remarkable swim from the Olympics. Phelps was in fine shape. Biedermann had one of the most remarkable performances in swimming history, and just happens to be wearing a suit that will be illegal in four months.
And to give Biedermann credit, he has admitted the advantage the suit gives him. He would like get rid of them too I think. I don't blame him for doing everything in his power, legally, to win. But neither do I blame Phelps and his coach for pointing out the obvious inequities.
