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...
Former Member
Originally Posted by 3strokes
Then I console myself that UniversalSports will have live (or taped) coverage during the week. However, living in Canada, I can get to watch UniversalSports' commercials but not the footage (not valid in my area.)
There's just no way to get any respect as a Canadian Swimmer/swimming fan.
Yeah, but I was in Canada during the 2005 Worlds in Montreal and the CBC's coverage then was outstanding.
So was I (but in Ottawa). I still have the video recordings (both English and French channels) and re-watch them at times.
But you see, that's the whole point of my rant: Most countries' coverages are biased. Where are the truly UNIVERSAL Sports media?
I disagree. There is nothing that says you have to be a boorish dope when you lose, no matter how great you were/are. I think this is simply another in a long line of immature behavior by Phelps. Anyone watch Andre Agassi's last match? That's how you lose with grace.
Word to the Geek.
Just because someone is a great athlete does not automatically mean they have brains, common sense, class or integrity. You only have to review the NFL, NBA, MLB etc Halls of Shame for evidence.IMHO, Phelps has now joined the club.
Rule no. 1 of swimming: eventually there will be someone faster than you, so take pride in your accomplishments, but acknowledge those of others, too.
I find it really hilarious that everyone here is criticizing Phelps, when people who are actually in Rome praised him for being a gracious, respectful competitor in his press conference. He gave full props to Biedermann, saying he had the better race and was in better shape. He said the swimmer beat him, not the suit. Check out Garrett McCaffrey's take on SwimPulse.
That being said, Bowman was really rash with his comments. From what I've heard, his little ultimatum came almost immediately after he learned that FINA is pushing back the ban on the suits. I think his little outburst had less to do with Phelps losing & more to do with even more evidence of FINA's incompetence. He should have kept his mouth shut, though.
Geek- I will point out that Andre Agassi went through a very long journey to get to the point where he was able to lose gracefully, perhaps this will help Phelps evolve as a person. Heck, even you have evolved in the last few years...
Y'all need to lighten up. Just because he didn't smile and congratulate him after a race doesn't make him out to be the guy that I am reading about here. The guy despises to losing and he just lost a race (and a WR mind you) to a guy that dropped 4 SECONDS(!!) in 11 months. I am sure he was a bit surprised and frustrated as anyone would be. Heck even Biederman said the suit made the difference. I am pretty sure he would've beaten Phelps in a LZR but we will never know. Please watch this press conference and tell me what is so unsportsmanlike about this:
www.swimnetwork.com/.../michael_phelps_speaks_humbly-16905.html
P.S. All champions hate to lose, but guys who have taken it to the next level DESPISE losing. That's what makes him one of the greatest atheletes of all time. Same with Jordan, Armstrong, Woods, etc.
Geek- Heck, even you have evolved in the last few years...
Yes, he has finally managed to tie his own shoes and to walk upright on 2 legs. While the rest of human race figured it out thousands of years ago, geek has only been able to do it since the introduction of tech suits.
In my experience people who train at an elite level well into their 20's have problems maturing emotionally until they quit swimming and enter the real world. It appears MP is no different, and his coach not much better. None of this is particularly surprising. Biedermann had an amazing swim.
...everyone knew that Phelps was in big trouble. He did take a 6 month break, then got suspended for 3 months after that, did not swim in a competitive meet for 9 months and these are additional factors in his swimming that people don't want to talk about but just want to focus on the suits.
That's a good point. Would he have gone under 1:42 in the 200 though? Who knows?
The 1:43 club had very few members up until a couple of days ago. Is it because of the suits? or better training?
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.
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.
