Of Speedo, Phelps, Bowman and Schubert

Former Member
Former Member
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...
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  • As Frank Thompson just posted, 8 months ago in SCM he went faster than Phelps ever has...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. So it took Biedermann only 3 months to drop 4 seconds instead of 11 months? I don't think that buttresses anyone's case that Biedermann relied only on hard work and natural talent to drop all his time. Regarding your other point, there are numerous swims at these WC that have shocked me. Biedermann's is only one of several.
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  • As Frank Thompson just posted, 8 months ago in SCM he went faster than Phelps ever has...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. So it took Biedermann only 3 months to drop 4 seconds instead of 11 months? I don't think that buttresses anyone's case that Biedermann relied only on hard work and natural talent to drop all his time. Regarding your other point, there are numerous swims at these WC that have shocked me. Biedermann's is only one of several.
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