2012 Olympics: Swimming

I think that's right. People might say it is because he isn't in as good as shape as before because his times are slower. While that is probably true in the 400 IM, in the 200 fly if you compare his time today in jammers to his previous times in leggings or full body suit, I'm not convinced he is really any slower. But everyone else kept getting better -- they had someone to chase -- while Phelps didn't. Still it was a heartbreaking swim, he had it won (until he didn't). Has anyone noticed how many Olympic champions and WR-holders are competing in all the events? In virtually all cases they are not competing for gold and usually not even for podium spots. Once you reach the top, most lose a little of the drive that got them there. So in that respect, Phelps is doing pretty darn well to still be in contention in his events. Well, timing in butterfly (and probably breaststroke) is quite flawed because of specific velocity patterns. Phelps had all the possible luck against Milorad Cavic in Beijing in 2008 and won the race when he was obviously behind. 4 years later, luck was not on his side and he lost the race where he was obviously the fastest. I put some more thoughts on my blog at http://blog.grkovic.com/?p=397 Any comments are highly appreciated. Thanks.

I think that's right. People might say it is because he isn't in as good as shape as before because his times are slower. While that is probably true in the 400 IM, in the 200 fly if you compare his time today in jammers to his previous times in leggings or full body suit, I'm not convinced he is really any slower. But everyone else kept getting better -- they had someone to chase -- while Phelps didn't. Still it was a heartbreaking swim, he had it won (until he didn't). Has anyone noticed how many Olympic champions and WR-holders are competing in all the events? In virtually all cases they are not competing for gold and usually not even for podium spots. Once you reach the top, most lose a little of the drive that got them there. So in that respect, Phelps is doing pretty darn well to still be in contention in his events. Well, timing in butterfly (and probably breaststroke) is quite flawed because of specific velocity patterns. Phelps had all the possible luck against Milorad Cavic in Beijing in 2008 and won the race when he was obviously behind. 4 years later, luck was not on his side and he lost the race where he was obviously the fastest. I put some more thoughts on my blog at http://blog.grkovic.com/?p=397 Any comments are highly appreciated. Thanks.