No joy in Phelps-ville...
Sadly, although I half expected it, Michael Phelps lost the final of the men's 200m freestyle to Australian superstar Ian Thorpe and a Dutchman with a really cool name. There will be no Spitzian treasure trove for the boy-wonder of international swimming. Sadly, swimming will probably not become recognized as the world's greatest sport this year...
It is unlikely that any athlete will ever duplicate what Mark Spitz was able to accomplish in 1972. Too many countries have developed world-class training programs and US athletes can no longer rely on the certainty of victory in relay events. Still, Phelps still has the opportunity to accomplish something extraordinary (as if winning a gold medal in the 400IM isn't already quite an achievement). He's an amazing athlete, one of the best ever to compete for the Stars & Stripes, and will probably finish with gold medals in four events.
The idea that an athlete could win three gold medals and break three world records, yet still be considered a failure, is more than a bit troubling. Have we become so obsessed with winning that anything short of the impossible is unacceptable?
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Wait! Where did my comment go? Was I censored by some mysterious force?
Anyways, I was excited about Mikey's two golds and how Klete-us blew the Thorpedo out of the water last nite (and I snicker every time Bob Costas says that with a straight face). But where is the justice? No mention of the other two guys on the relay team- what are they, dead meat?
And now back to my regularly scheduled Carly adulation...
Phelps is a lush!
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