Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:23:56 GMT

Phelps posted on Facebook he is swimming at the NBAC meet this weekend. I just checked out the psych sheet 100 fly, bk, br, free 50 fr

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 17:52:02 GMT

I think it was Ed Moses who pointed out that if you look at the splits at the 100 in the 400 IM, Ryan's just a wee bit behind Phelps after Phelps's strongest leg. He seemed to hint at the fact that Lochte is thinking about taking out Phelps in the 200 fly! In London Lochte will definitely do 2/4 IM, 1/2 back, 200 free (to get on the relay and to go for gold), and he might try to beat the 8 gold mark by also doing the 200fly! I completely agree with you. Lochte could very well be a threat in the 200 fly. 2011 will be very interesting and give a pretty good preview of 2012.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

tjrpatt — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:59:22 GMT

I completely agree with you. Lochte could very well be a threat in the 200 fly. 2011 will be very interesting and give a pretty good preview of 2012. Lochte seems like he can do it all now. :bow:

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

taruky — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 09:12:35 GMT

When I first saw this thread, I thought the author was implying Phelps had jock itch or something.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 08:14:57 GMT

I think he has lost a lot of motivation in london 2012 200 IM --> lochte will kick his ass 200 free --> lochte, I don't know what happened to biderman 100 fly --> he can win it, I haven't seen cavic times this year 200 --> he owns that race I think it was Ed Moses who pointed out that if you look at the splits at the 100 in the 400 IM, Ryan's just a wee bit behind Phelps after Phelps's strongest leg. He seemed to hint at the fact that Lochte is thinking about taking out Phelps in the 200 fly! In London Lochte will definitely do 2/4 IM, 1/2 back, 200 free (to get on the relay and to go for gold), and he might try to beat the 8 gold mark by also doing the 200fly!

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:44:45 GMT

He's one lucky son of a ***. He seems even more polygamous than Tiger Woods... except without, you know, the marriage part. Is it premarital sex if you have absolutely no intention of ever getting married?

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Patrick W. Brundage — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:41:32 GMT

I wouldn't count him out yet. Clearly he doesn't have the motivation he once did, but I have a feeling he'll be ready when he needs to be.I'm with you. I don't think he'll show up for 2012 trials or the games unless he intends to win. As a professional athlete with sponsor $$ behind him and a stated intention to swim in London, I think he'll be there and be in top form. He's got loads of time to get into top form for 2012. So, I think he'll be there and be as ready as possible. As for winning multiple golds, though, I think he'll have some tough fights. Unless he chooses his events very strategically, I think he's got a strong chance of seeing some silver especially if he's head-to-head with Lochte in an IM. Lochte's got the momentum and a lot more to prove. I still say Phelps wins the flys if he swims them.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

gdanner — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 02:35:49 GMT

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.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:12:14 GMT

He's one lucky son of a ***. He seems even more polygamous than Tiger Woods... except without, you know, the marriage part.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

knelson — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:20:00 GMT

he should get his life started. His life can only start when he's done swimming? I wouldn't count him out yet. Clearly he doesn't have the motivation he once did, but I have a feeling he'll be ready when he needs to be.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:56:41 GMT

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).

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:21:16 GMT

Ah, so apparently they were spotted together in the Grove in Los Angeles. I've been there, it's a wonderful little shopping area, but it's not Baltimore and it's not a pool, which is where Michael Phelps said he'd be a month after Irvine. It's been much more than a month now. I think Phelps needs to realize he wants to retire. He's the greatest Olympian of all time, he's done it... there's nowhere to go but down... he should get his life started.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

tjrpatt — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:42:03 GMT

He has a new GF - must be too busy! Brittny Gastineau. If you have seen Brittny, you can see where his motivation is right now.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 06:27:02 GMT

He has a new GF - must be too busy! Brittny Gastineau.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 13:51:50 GMT

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Glenn — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:39:59 GMT

trout, I thought the same thing.:afraid:

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 09:11:33 GMT

I'm just glad to hear that you're talking about that kind of scratching. When I read the title, I had this mental image of Michael Phelps getting on the block and furiously scratching at his groin area instead of his typical arm swinging.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:23:17 GMT

As a professional swimmer with lots of contractual obligations, it appears Phelps is having to travel and spend a lot of time away from the pool and his normal workout routine. Maybe he plans to swim so few events in 2011 and 2012, he believes he can start his training later this year and be ready when the time comes. Having said that, it does appear his heart isn't in it like it was prior to 2008. Lately, he seems to be more interested in golf and poker than swimming. Are we seeing signs of a possible early retirement? I wouldn't be at all surprised.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

tjrpatt — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:34:56 GMT

I think that he is too busy with golf. Overall, if he wants to scratch, so be it. He doesn't need to prove anything at this point in his swimming career. Maybe he needs another break from the sport.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

orca1946 — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 12:33:22 GMT

I think it's his time as based on others entered in that event. He wants to win & not be hassled on 2nd place.

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Former Member — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 08:56:18 GMT

Maybe he's gearing up for a future sponsorship from Cortaid... "Stops the scratching." :chug::banana: ;)

RE: Michael Phelps, what's up with all the scratching?

Redbird Alum — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 04:09:07 GMT

Alot of people in Masters Swimming enter as many events as they can, but then scratch events based on their relative readiness to swim the events based on physical, mental or time between events at the particular meet. As most Masters meets are timed finals anyway, no huge foul. At the elite level of Phelps, however, this seems a little cheesy. Especially if there are limitations to numbers of swimmers for prelims.