Josh, you knew this was coming...
Ok, so what is the big deal with Michael Phelps? Yes, he's a good, actually great swimmer. Yes is very built (that dude is cut!), yes he has won a million gold medals... but I don't see the big deal.
Let me explain.
My friend Josh said that he was the greatest Olympic athlete of all time. I totally and complete disagree with that statement. In his defense, he did say that he makes swimming entertaining. That I agree with.
After all, he's just swimming. Unless I'm mistaken, that's just one event. I think and this my personal thought, but someone who should have the title of greatest Olympic athlete should do more than one sport.
What about the decathlon? Thats like 100 events (ok, maybe just 10) and it shows your true ability to excel in a number of sporting events.
Also, Josh tried to hit me where he thought it would hurt. He compared Phelps to Lance Armstrong. Big deal. That guy isn't my hero, plus I mountain bike. He then pulled the "Lance is a triathlete" card too. With that said, I think that Lance is more of an athlete than Phelps is. But I would never say the worlds greatest athlete.
Lance did do triathlons when he was younger too, lying about his age so he could race, beating pros, turning pro himself when he turned 19. That's cool, but he's not my role model (not to say that Phelps is Josh's, I'm just saying). I mean, the guy has some issues.
I don't know... I'm not trying to pick a fight, I don't even mean to be nit picky, I just think that saying he is (or even among) the best Olympic athletes of all time is a stretch.
I want to see him run. I want to see him bike. I want to see him do some more events. Oh, and I didn't mean to use running and biking in a way that reflects a triathlon as being the qualifications of a true athlete but I think that they do more than Phelps could do.
Actually, speaking of triathlons, let me give you some stats... A full triathlon goes like this:
- Swim 2.4 miles
- Bike 112 miles
- Run 26.2 miles
You have to be pretty in shape to do that. Really, think about that for a minute. Those should all be separate events but they are all combined for one event!
For the Ironman Triathlon the record is something like just over 8 hours. Holy cow!
Oh, you know what I like a lot... adventure races! They do so many different things! Orienteering (compass course), mountain biking, kayaking, trail running and rock climbing. These people have to be on the move the whole time and there are no lanes, there are no, tracks, they just have their compass and their water, and sometimes a tent and stuff but super light.
Those guys (and girls) must be intense! Like Bear Grylls! Running, navigating, having to "survive." Cool huh?!
Look, I apologize for ranting and raving and you probably think that if I don't care about him, why do I go through the trouble to bash him (gently). Well, I don't know.
Overall: I think Phelps is a phenomenal swimmer. Incredible! He could probably outswim anything short of a dolphin. But to say he is one of the greatest Olympic athletes of all time? No. I don't care if he won 100 gold medals in one day. He only does one event.
Further suggested reading:
