OT - Congrats Michael!!

**ravenjoe** · 08-01-2012, 12:27 AM

The Greatest Olympian EVER!

**Dade** · 08-01-2012, 06:48 AM

Yes Sir! Truly amazing...

USA USA USA!!!!

**Kevlar** · 08-01-2012, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by ravenjoe

The Greatest Olympian EVER!

greatest swimmer ever.

Greatest olympian, at least from the US would be someone like Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, or Carl Lewis, who competed in more demanding events.

What was the chicks name who he passed for "greatest olympian ever"? I never even heard of her.

**flraven** · 08-01-2012, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Kevlar

greatest swimmer ever.

Greatest olympian, at least from the US would be someone like Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, or Carl Lewis, who competed in more demanding events.

What was the chicks name who he passed for "greatest olympian ever"? I never even heard of her.

It was a Soviet gymnast named Larisa Latynina. Not sure when she won her medals though.

Congratulations Michael!!

**NCRAVEN** · 08-01-2012, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Kevlar

greatest swimmer ever.

Greatest olympian, at least from the US would be someone like Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, or Carl Lewis, who competed in more demanding events.

What was the chicks name who he passed for "greatest olympian ever"? I never even heard of her.

You think running is more demanding than swimming?

**Kyle Cactus** · 08-01-2012, 11:29 AM

Swimming is definitely grueling, but I think the argument can be made that Carl Lewis excelled in a wider variety of events. Yes, Phelps has medaled in events with a variety of strokes and distances, but it's all still swimming for speed. Lewis on the other hand medaled in running (sprinting only) and the long jump.

Plus Lewis was dominant over a longer period in his best event. He won the gold in long jump in 4 consecutive Olympics.

Either way it's splitting hairs. They're both outstanding Olympians. Phelps accomplishments are amazing, and I don't know if we'll see them surpassed in my lifetime.

I'm not as knowledgeable on Owens or Thorpe so I can't really speak to them.

**Kevlar** · 08-01-2012, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by NCRAVEN

You think running is more demanding than swimming?

You have to compete in 10 events to win a medal for the decathalon. They don't give out extra medals for swinging your arms in a different direction.

Track and field has long been the dominant sport of the olympics. It is the one where you see the best athletes compete.

No one cares about swimming unless their boat is getting ready to sink.

**srobert96** · 08-01-2012, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Kevlar

You have to compete in 10 events to win a medal for the decathalon. They don't give out extra medals for swinging your arms in a different direction.

Track and field has long been the dominant sport of the olympics. It is the one where you see the best athletes compete.

No one cares about swimming unless their boat is getting ready to sink.

Wow. You are so far off base on all of your comments it is comical. How many track events do you watch on Tv. Swimming get's better ratings that track and field.

The measure of the best Olympian can only be judged by medical count and Phelps is going to end up as the best by a wide margin.

How is running and jumping more challenging than Butterfly, freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke. Winning the decathlon means you are good but not the best in many events. The equivalent would be to win the decathlon while also winning medals in individual events. Decathletes are basically generalists.

**Real Fan Dan** · 08-01-2012, 04:00 PM

From the AP article that festivus posted:

"Phelps still has the 200-meter indivual medley today and Thursday, when he can even the score with Lochte, who beat him in the 400-meter IM on the first night of the meet; the 100-meter butterfly, his favorite stroke once more, on Thursday and Friday; and Saturday's 4x100 medley relay, the valedictory moment of an Olympic career like no other".

After getting beaten by .05 of a sec in the 200m butterfly (his signature race) it would not surprise me one bit if he wins gold in the upcoming 100m fly. If he pulls it off, I believe that will give him a Gold medal in the same event in three consecutive Olympiads, a feat that has never before been achieved by any athlete in any sport.

Forget the trivialism of swimming and sinking boats, the genetics of Jared Gaither, the ocassional prick like demeanor, the liasson with MJ, or any other silly assed complaint about the guy.

The dude is American and he's making history.
His name is Phelps and he's accepted the mission. Root for him lol!

**Ravenswintitle** · 08-01-2012, 07:34 PM

I think it's awesome and he is in the record books as the "the most decorated olympian of all time" despite some of these discussions on what sport is harder. Great to see a Baltimore guy achieve such high honors IMO.

**Trackmaster** · 08-02-2012, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by srobert96

Wow. You are so far off base on all of your comments it is comical. How many track events do you watch on Tv. Swimming get's better ratings that track and field.

The measure of the best Olympian can only be judged by medical count and Phelps is going to end up as the best by a wide margin.

How is running and jumping more challenging than Butterfly, freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke. Winning the decathlon means you are good but not the best in many events. The equivalent would be to win the decathlon while also winning medals in individual events. Decathletes are basically generalists.

You haven't seen any T&F events on TV because they haven't started yet. In a few days or less, swimming will be over, and you won't see that anymore. Making a statement like the one you just made would be like saying "It's April and there's no football on TV, this sport must be dead. I guess that people only watch hockey and basketball here."

As a matter of fact, the only reason that they have T&F start later is so that the marathon can be the final event of the Olypmics, and it finishes into the arena where the closing ceremonies are.

But you are half-right. While T&F used to be the cornerstone event of the Olypmics, it's taken a backseat due to the steroid cloud. Also, swimming has been put in the forefront in the USA because we medal so much in it.

But I do kind of have a gripe with how many medals they give away in swimming. While I realize that it benefits our country, it's not exactly fair. With the team, traditional sports, they compete for days and days with many games and are lucky to get one medal. Most sports are lucky to give away a few medals in their entire program. Even with T&F, the events are so different than it's virtually impossible to take home more than 2 or 3. 4 is a feat that will put you in the record books.

But with swimming, they're basically doing the same thing with variations. Freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, Medley, 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, and relays for all of them. Maybe for a sport like basketball they should have 10 minute games, 20 minute games, 40 minute games, games like one hand tied behind the back, games where you have to run backwards, etc. If anything, maybe swimming should be more like gymnastics, where the medal goes to the person with the best overall program through a points system based on how they finish (5 points for first, 4 points for 2nd, etc.).

**bmorebirds_24** · 08-01-2012, 11:30 AM

Am I the only one a bit disappointed about Phelps this year?
Admitting he didn't train as hard...Teammates being critical of his training.

Maybe I am just hating on the guy because he comes off as a dick but he makes it hard to be excited for him this time around.

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