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!
It seems to me that Phelps is (was) more active than many other peers at his level in terms of national and grand prix meets. Peirsol and Coughlin are two that seemingly only show up at the biggest of meets when it comes time. Like them, I don't expect Phelps to have any problems when he decides to get back 100%. Even though he is regarded as the best swimmer of all time, I still hope to see him surpass the total Olympic medal record (18 to his 16).
Being #1 over a 9 year span (instead of 5) would be significantly harder for future athletes to duplicate and therein lies the reason to keep going. Nothing is a lock, but he'd be good for 2-3 golds at the minimum imo.
It seems to me that Phelps is (was) more active than many other peers at his level in terms of national and grand prix meets. Peirsol and Coughlin are two that seemingly only show up at the biggest of meets when it comes time. Like them, I don't expect Phelps to have any problems when he decides to get back 100%. Even though he is regarded as the best swimmer of all time, I still hope to see him surpass the total Olympic medal record (18 to his 16).
Being #1 over a 9 year span (instead of 5) would be significantly harder for future athletes to duplicate and therein lies the reason to keep going. Nothing is a lock, but he'd be good for 2-3 golds at the minimum imo.
