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...
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.
You failed to mention that the suit that Phelps is wearing will be illegal in four months also. Evidently you did not read the background that was provided in the other thread. He broke an Ian Thorpe World Record 8 months ago so I hardly call that out of Phelps league until this week. He has gone 1:40.83 in the 200 SCM Free and besides Thorpe NO ONE has broken 1:42.25 in that course in that distance. Hardly out of Phelps league.
Also, check out the obvious inequities in the 200 Free at the 2008 Olympics in which Phelps is wearing a LZR, which accounted for all but 2 World Records in those Olympics and check the suit that Biedermann is wearing. Its not even a full body and he is wearing Adidas jammers because as I understand Germany had to honor there contract with that sponsor and could not get the LZR suits because they were not available.
Nothing was said about that and this year the shoe is on the other foot and we are hearing about all the disadvantages the Speedo LZR has and this exact suit was the suit of the future last year with all of the advantages and those swimmers enjoyed those advantages. Now next year, all those suits will be gone and we will be back to square one? Well maybe.
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.
You failed to mention that the suit that Phelps is wearing will be illegal in four months also. Evidently you did not read the background that was provided in the other thread. He broke an Ian Thorpe World Record 8 months ago so I hardly call that out of Phelps league until this week. He has gone 1:40.83 in the 200 SCM Free and besides Thorpe NO ONE has broken 1:42.25 in that course in that distance. Hardly out of Phelps league.
Also, check out the obvious inequities in the 200 Free at the 2008 Olympics in which Phelps is wearing a LZR, which accounted for all but 2 World Records in those Olympics and check the suit that Biedermann is wearing. Its not even a full body and he is wearing Adidas jammers because as I understand Germany had to honor there contract with that sponsor and could not get the LZR suits because they were not available.
Nothing was said about that and this year the shoe is on the other foot and we are hearing about all the disadvantages the Speedo LZR has and this exact suit was the suit of the future last year with all of the advantages and those swimmers enjoyed those advantages. Now next year, all those suits will be gone and we will be back to square one? Well maybe.
