I realize that people are caught up in “Phelps Mania” and frankly, I think we can all agree that the attention he gets is well-deserved.
He is probably the greatest swimmer any of us have ever seen (hope that doesn’t make you cry Mr. Spitz). His assault on 9 golds and the numerous amount of world records he is setting speak for themselves…..
Call me crazy though, but I’m not yet willing to crown him the greatest Olympian of all-time
There is an American athlete who won a gold medal in four different olympics. A man who won a single individual event 4 Olympics in a row. Think about that. Think about how hard it is to remain a world class athlete for that period of time.
Of course, the man I’m speaking of is Carl Lewis
1984 Gold: 100M, 4×100, Long Jump, 200M
1988 Gold: 100M, Long Jump
1988 Silver: 200M
1992 Gold: 4×100, Long Jump
1996 Gold: Long Jump
Pretty amazing in a sport where athletes peak is at most 1 or 2 Olympics. To put this into perspective, think about Michael Johnson. Easily one of the greatest American track athletes and maybe the greatest 400m runner of all-time. He could only manage 2 consecutive golds in that event.
Again, this is not to say that Phelps could not someday become the greatest Olympian. Far be it for me to say that he could not produce the same kind of results four years from now in London.
But right now, as it stands, Carl Lewis is the greatest U.S. Olympian of all-time
Carl’s singing on the other hand, well, that’s more Special Olympics.
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August 13, 2008
#1
My vote goes to Michael Phelps.
August 13, 2008
#2
u would
August 13, 2008
#3
Michael Phelps is refreshing.
Let me explain.
I was so sick of Brett Favre news that I stopped watching sports newscasts (I refuse to acknowledge the 4 letter network right now, I’m still so mad) for weeks.
Phelps deserves all the hype and attention he is receiving as he is a world class athlete and the greatest thing we’ve seen since Lance Armstrong.
Carl Lewis is my favorite Olympic athlete of all time and I agree with Isaac. He was the best Olympic athlete of all time.
Track athletes are limited to a certain number of events, while swimmers are allowed to compete in any event they qualify in. I’m not saying Lewis could have been a distance runner, but I’m sure he could have held his own in a few other events to increase his medal count.
Long story short, we need more stories like Michael Phelps. He’s all class (with the exception of his teeth) and should have a few good swims left in the 2012 games.
August 13, 2008
#4
I’m going to say that Phelps’ versatility is what makes him “greater” than Lewis. Phelps DOMINATES every swimming event that he swims in. The only thing that might stop him is fatigue (I think he’s swimming 17 races in four or five days).
Just as hard or easy or convenient as it is for Phelps to qualify for all of the races he qualified for, why couldn’t Lewis attempt to qualify for the longer races? I’m guessing he would have had he could. It’s an assumption yes, but saying he could have held his own was also a guess.
I didn’t think I would get into the Olympics as much as I have. I’m watching the nice butts in beach volleyball right now. I don’t get why they only play American songs between points. 1. it’s in China and 2. the Americans are playing non-Americans. Anywho, after a Kerri Walsh kill, they played Europe “Carrie”. Good stuff.
Anyway, yeah, I’ll take Phelps over Lewis for the win.
August 14, 2008
#5
steve redgrave from uk did 5 golds in 5 olympics, even harder!!
August 14, 2008
#6
Point of clarification as to Phelps:
He is mostly class, EXCEPT for all this Wolverine Club BS.
And lay off his teeth, Busch. As far as I know, Phelps as never removed one of his front teeth and dropped it in a beer at the Riv. So here’s to you, and your flapper.
August 14, 2008
#7
valid point pg
August 14, 2008
#8
Just to clarify:
TG-When I said Lewis could hold his own in a few other events, I was referring to short distance races that he may not have run, including hurdles.
PG-Fantastic point about the teeth, you have the memory of a stubborn mule. At least I had a few surgeries to help out my chompers. I suggest Tim’s mancrush do the same.
Isaac- There was nothing delightful about today’s afternoon delight.