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....
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.
A lot of people here seem to think it a foregone conclusion that if Biedermann and Phelps were to race on equal terms (ie wearing the same suit) that Phelps would smoke him. I don't think that is at all obvious. And to say it was only within the past week that he was in Phelps' league is untrue, as others have pointed out; breaking a Thorpe record in SCM should have put him on anybody's radar.
Stop making excuses. My child and many others are taught from summer league on up to shake the hands of the person on either side of him after the race, win or lose. This is basic sportsmanship, and if we profess to admire such behavior than we should chastise anyone who fails to exhibit it...especially someone like Phelps.
I'm not saying that Phelps is a terrible person, he isn't. And his every mis-step is intensely scrutinized. He later gave Biedermann credit: "I was beaten by the swimmer, not a suit" or some such. Good for him. I'm sure next time (and there will be a next time at some point, even Phelps is not invincible) Phelps will handle a loss with just a little more grace.
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....
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.
A lot of people here seem to think it a foregone conclusion that if Biedermann and Phelps were to race on equal terms (ie wearing the same suit) that Phelps would smoke him. I don't think that is at all obvious. And to say it was only within the past week that he was in Phelps' league is untrue, as others have pointed out; breaking a Thorpe record in SCM should have put him on anybody's radar.
Stop making excuses. My child and many others are taught from summer league on up to shake the hands of the person on either side of him after the race, win or lose. This is basic sportsmanship, and if we profess to admire such behavior than we should chastise anyone who fails to exhibit it...especially someone like Phelps.
I'm not saying that Phelps is a terrible person, he isn't. And his every mis-step is intensely scrutinized. He later gave Biedermann credit: "I was beaten by the swimmer, not a suit" or some such. Good for him. I'm sure next time (and there will be a next time at some point, even Phelps is not invincible) Phelps will handle a loss with just a little more grace.
