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 don't doubt Phelp's graciousness in defeat, or that the fast suit offers an advantage - the rub is with Speedo Consultant Bowman, throwing a tantrum only at the moment his athlete is disadvantaged by technology... the same athlete who historically took advantage of technology with Bowman's blessing. This is a serious "The Emperor Has No Clothes" situation - I have yet to see anyone address Bowman's pathetic hypocrisy in this matter to my satisfaction. I can't believe he's saying what he's saying with a straight face.
I agree with you there. At least Bowman is advocating throwing all records out - Phelps' included. But the moral outrage should have happened last year, when Olympic swimmers were scarmbling to get the LZR or risk losing to slower swimmers.
I still don't blame Bowman for being bent out of shape after losing to Biedermann.
And again, I don't blame Biedermann a bit for finding the fastest suit available within the rules. He seems like a nice guy. We'll see what happens when both competitors take the suits off.
I don't doubt Phelp's graciousness in defeat, or that the fast suit offers an advantage - the rub is with Speedo Consultant Bowman, throwing a tantrum only at the moment his athlete is disadvantaged by technology... the same athlete who historically took advantage of technology with Bowman's blessing. This is a serious "The Emperor Has No Clothes" situation - I have yet to see anyone address Bowman's pathetic hypocrisy in this matter to my satisfaction. I can't believe he's saying what he's saying with a straight face.
I agree with you there. At least Bowman is advocating throwing all records out - Phelps' included. But the moral outrage should have happened last year, when Olympic swimmers were scarmbling to get the LZR or risk losing to slower swimmers.
I still don't blame Bowman for being bent out of shape after losing to Biedermann.
And again, I don't blame Biedermann a bit for finding the fastest suit available within the rules. He seems like a nice guy. We'll see what happens when both competitors take the suits off.
