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...
There is no credible alibi for a 4 second drop by a 23 year old in the world class ranks. Again, I don't blame Biedermann - I would have done the same thing in his shoes. The goal is to win by any means within the rules.
I don't understand your choice of words, "credible alibi." Why does he need an alibi? Are you accusing him of cheating or being unethical? Even Phelps didn't do that.
Biedermann didn't do anything this year that Phelps didn't do a year prior (except make a pile of money, of course).
As Frank Thompson just posted, 8 months ago in SCM he went faster than Phelps ever has. I'll agree with you that Phelps was surprised to lose, but he shouldn't have been. (I seem to remember an interview before the race where Bowman said that if Phelps swam well, he would win. Perhaps they were guilty of believing their own media hype.)
This meet is filled with people making incredible drops to set WRs and NRs, and they are mostly not teenagers either. This particular swim seems to defy your belief only because Phelps was the victim.
There is no credible alibi for a 4 second drop by a 23 year old in the world class ranks. Again, I don't blame Biedermann - I would have done the same thing in his shoes. The goal is to win by any means within the rules.
I don't understand your choice of words, "credible alibi." Why does he need an alibi? Are you accusing him of cheating or being unethical? Even Phelps didn't do that.
Biedermann didn't do anything this year that Phelps didn't do a year prior (except make a pile of money, of course).
As Frank Thompson just posted, 8 months ago in SCM he went faster than Phelps ever has. I'll agree with you that Phelps was surprised to lose, but he shouldn't have been. (I seem to remember an interview before the race where Bowman said that if Phelps swam well, he would win. Perhaps they were guilty of believing their own media hype.)
This meet is filled with people making incredible drops to set WRs and NRs, and they are mostly not teenagers either. This particular swim seems to defy your belief only because Phelps was the victim.
