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Post by ken on Aug 17, 2008 18:52:12 GMT -5
Michael Phelps just completed the greatest Olympic performance in history. That is (or should be) without debate. But does Phelps' dominance in Athens and Beijing put him atop the list of greatest Olympians ever? It's too early to tell, since Phelps likely isn't finished winning Olympic medals. If he returns in 2012 at the London Games and wins, say, five more medals, then there will be no question that he should be hailed as the top Olympian of all-time. If Phelps retired tomorrow though, one could still make a compelling case on his behalf. The naysayers claim that because Phelps is a swimmer, somehow his accomplishments aren't as impressive. (One column, ridiculously, even goes so far as to say that it's "easy to win multiple medals in swimming.") Because swimming has so many racing opportunities, they say, medals are cheapened. Rubbish. Of the 20 men who have won the most Olympic medals, only three (Phelps, Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi) were swimmers. Gymnasts dominate the top 20. If winning swimming medals was so easy, swimmers should theoretically be all over that list. sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/blog/fourth_place_medal/post/Is-Michael-Phelps-the-greatest-Olympian-ever-?urn=oly,101347
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Post by Chilehead on Aug 17, 2008 22:35:08 GMT -5
There's nothing easy about it. That's a moronic statement. Before it's all said and done in 2012, he will no doubt be hailed as the greatest Olympian ever.
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Post by ken on Aug 17, 2008 23:14:25 GMT -5
I agree totaly. I saw this and had to put it up..
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Post by Quaalude™ on Aug 18, 2008 1:28:51 GMT -5
it's all Skill i Agree not if i practiced for a Year could i even get 5 Gold much less 8 , his record will stand 40 + years QC
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Post by Chilehead on Aug 18, 2008 11:40:18 GMT -5
I doubt very seriously that we see his record broken in our lifetime.
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Post by Osprey on Aug 18, 2008 13:35:50 GMT -5
I doubt very seriously that we see his record broken in our lifetime. I would have to agree... it took 36 years for Spitz's record to be broken... I'm not sure, but I don't think I have that much time left... I wouldn't complain if I did, but somehow, I doubt it...
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Post by Chilehead on Aug 19, 2008 9:51:05 GMT -5
I don't know if any of you saw this last night. During an interview, they showed Phelps a message that Lindsay Lohan sent him. It was naughty enough that it couldn't be repeated on the air and, after reading, made both Michael and his mother blush. Smiling in surprise and blushing, Phelps commented: "that's pretty cool".
I'd love to know what that message said.
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Post by thong_of_doom on Aug 19, 2008 23:50:54 GMT -5
I think he is the greatest Olympic athlete of all time. The multiple world records prove that. One point though, there are more events he can participate in than lets say a discus thrower, so maybe thats what they were elluding to.
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