Michael Phelps (star, athletics, olympics, gold medal)
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Do you agree that he is the greatest Olympian of all times? Do you think that he will really stay in retirement after the London Olympics (and not suddenly decide to participate in the Rio Olympics)?
Why is he the greatest? Because of winning the biggest number of medals?
If so, this is completely stupid. Among London Olympic's 302 gold medals, 34 are in swimming, 17 in men's swimming.
Do you get that chance in any other sports at all?
Athletics is probably the only category with more medals, but it has a lot more variety, from 100 meter run to 10000 meter to long jump to shot put.
In swimming, the skills and distance (except 1500M) are much more similar, over and over and over. It is a lot easier to win a gold in 100 meter freestyle AND 4×100 medley AND 200 meter butterfly than winning 100 meter run and 3000 meter run and Discus throw (if it were possible at all).
This the most decorated athlete propaganda is completely meaningless.
On the other hand, I think the Olympic Games give too much weigh to swimming. One in nine medals come from a single sport is ridiculous. half of that is enough. What's the use of butterfly style anyway?
Why is he the greatest? Because of winning the biggest number of medals?
If so, this is completely stupid. Among London Olympic's 302 gold medals, 34 are in swimming, 17 in men's swimming.
Do you get that chance in any other sports at all?
Athletics is probably the only category with more medals, but it has a lot more variety, from 100 meter run to 10000 meter to long jump to shot put.
In swimming, the skills and distance (except 1500M) are much more similar, over and over and over. It is a lot easier to win a gold in 100 meter freestyle AND 4×100 medley AND 200 meter butterfly than winning 100 meter run and 3000 meter run and Discus throw (if it were possible at all).
This the most decorated athlete propaganda is completely meaningless.
On the other hand, I think the Olympic Games give too much weigh to swimming. One in nine medals come from a single sport is ridiculous. half of that is enough. What's the use of butterfly style anyway?
If its as easy as you seem to be implying it is, then why hasn't any other swimmer come close to winning as many medals as Phelps? Most swimmers specialize in one type of swim. The fact that he's been able to win medals in so many different swimming events is pretty amazing.
I did quite a bit of swimming in high school and college and it ain't a walk in the park.
If its as easy as you seem to be implying it is, then why hasn't any other swimmer come close to winning as many medals as Phelps? Most swimmers specialize in one type of swim. The fact that he's been able to win medals in so many different swimming events is pretty amazing.
I did quite a bit of swimming in high school and college and it ain't a walk in the park.
You are right. I never doubt he is a great swimmer.
You can compare swimmers, but you can't compare swimmers and other athletes, and claim he is greater/greatest.
No, he's not. He's completely dominated his field, but not all Olympic sports are equal. I'd still rate Nadia, Jesse Owens and Usain Bolt (unless he completely flops this year) as the greatest Olympians ever.
I agree; he's one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time. Swimming fans will surely miss his presence; he made the sport exciting. It won't be the same without him.
I do hope he retires after this and goes on to do big things in his life. He's already inspired so many young men and women.
He is the greatest swimmer of all time. I don't think you can crown him the greatest Olympian given the wide variety of sports that are contested at the games. I don't think you can give any person that designation.
What he has done is very impressive no doubt.
Swimmers are fortunate where you will see the better athletes competing in several events. No other sport allows an athlete to compete in so many events.
He might be the greatest Olympic swimmer of all time but, for the most part, swimming is a sport for wealthy countries only.
For most people outside of the United States, the star of the 2008 Olympics was Usain Bolt with his record smashing performances, not Phelps.
It could be argued that the greatest Olympic athlete of all time was Daley Thompson, who won the gold medal in the decathlon (10 varied events that require speed, endurance, jumping ability, agility, strength, etc., etc.,) twice. One decathlon medal = many swimming medals.
I guess one could say he is the most decorated Olympian as he has the most medals.
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