Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?
Former Member
Mike Gustafson blogs
Disappointment reigns once again.
I say “once again” because scratching from swim meets is becoming a trend for our sport’s greatest. Say what you will about sporting superstars like Brett Farve, but the guy shows up. By my own count, Phelps has scratched three Grand Prix events in 2010. Columbus, Missouri (though that was due to weather) and now Minnesota.
And he hasn’t just scratched meets. He’s scratched individual races. Remember the Pan Pacs 200 IM? When the world expected an epic rematch against IMing rival Ryan Lochte? He scratched the morning of – no injury, no sickness.
There's also another take on this at Universal Sports.
So, what's up? It's all very disappointing. Maybe he's just getting bored. I know he's said London will be his swan song, but he might even be well advised to retire before that- he wouldn't want to take his final bow after having been beaten to the gold by guys like Clary or Lochte. Or heaven forbid, Cavic!
Parents
Former Member
I think we can assume the following:
1) It would be fun to be 25 and have tens of millions of dollars.
2) Swimming 10K a day is alot easier to do when you have something to prove.
I think the fire has been extinquished. When he lost this summer he didn't take it personally (from the very limited reactions I saw on TV).
I think we can assume the following:
1) It would be fun to be 25 and have tens of millions of dollars.
2) Swimming 10K a day is alot easier to do when you have something to prove.
I think the fire has been extinquished. When he lost this summer he didn't take it personally (from the very limited reactions I saw on TV).
