Michael Phelps is the single most dominant athlete on the planet, bar none

[Irvine511]

and, yes, i'm looking at you Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.



[q]In Night of World Records, Phelps Leaves Biggest Ripple in the Pool

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY
MELBOURNE, Australia, Wednesday, March 28 — Michael Phelps does not agree, but perhaps Ian Thorpe retired at just the right time after all when he hung up his goggles in November.

It was difficult to avoid the thought on Tuesday night when Phelps made virtual mincemeat of one of the records that other swimmers have spoken of in hushed tones since Thorpe established it at his peak in Fukuoka, Japan, in 2001.

But the whispers will now be reserved for what Phelps did in the 200-meter freestyle in Melbourne, as he sliced two-tenths of a second off Thorpe’s mark in Thorpe’s country and an astonishing 1.34 seconds off his personal best.

On one of the most extraordinary nights in the history of American swimming, one that produced four gold medals and three world records in five races, Phelps’s time of 1 minute 43.86 seconds left the biggest wake.

“I thought this 200 freestyle record by Ian would last for 10, maybe 20 years,” said Pieter van den Hoogenband, who took the silver medal but was five full strokes and 2.42 seconds behind Phelps.[/q]



[q]Phelps sets second world record in as many days

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Michael Phelps is turning the world swimming championships into kid's play.

The American earned his third gold medal with another world record Wednesday night, producing the biggest time drop in the 200-meter butterfly in 48 years.

"I feel like a 12-year-old, being able to drop more than a second off my best time," the 21-year-old superstar said. "I'm showing I'm in solid shape now."

Phelps won with the same get-out-fast and blow 'em away strategy he used in taking the 200 freestyle a night earlier.

He raced to the lead and stayed there, touching in 1 minute, 52.09 seconds. That was faster than the 1:53.71 he swam at a meet in Columbia, Mo., on Feb. 17.

"I shocked myself," Phelps said. "I didn't know I would be that far under it."

His 1.62-second improvement was the largest in the 200 fly since American Mike Troy lowered his own record by 2.6 seconds in 1959. Phelps also became the first man to go under 1:53 in the event.[/q]



and he's got three more events and two more relays.

and i'm curious to know if anyone else out there cares about swimming!

 

[phanan]

I'll admit it's not something I follow other than when it's the Olympics, but that really is an amazing accomplishment.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i still may have to lean towards federer, but he, phelps in woods are certainly in the top 3.

 

[Hewson]

"How could you trade Jay Buhner?"

"My people like Ken Phelps' bat"

 

[No spoken words]

I'm following it, but, I don't have a choice.

Nothing's better than Mr. Costanza hearing that his son might be dead yet only wanting to rip Big Stein for the Buhner trade.

 

[Canadiens1131]

The thread title is quite true.



Still doesn't make me care about competitive swimming or Australia, though

 

[Irvine511]

Still doesn't make me care about competitive swimming or Australia, though

sometimes, i wish i was australian ...

 

[Angela Harlem]

australians, as a whole, don't really care too much what thorpe does or did do.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i just wish i had his abs

 

[Irvine511]

australians, as a whole, don't really care too much what thorpe does or did do.

i still care ...

 

[VertigoGal]

holy shit, that is a lot of time to drop off an event! especially when you're Michael Phelps.

I've met him twice at meets, it is so cool to see him swim in person and he seemed to be a really genuine guy. he was a bit testy the second time though I think he was late for a massage or something.

too bad I've lost touch with the girl whose camera had the posed pic of me and michael on it.

anyway, USA! USA! USA! etc

 

[Irvine511]

holy shit, that is a lot of time to drop off an event! especially when you're Michael Phelps.

here's his 200 fly. it's insane. there's no one even in the picture and he's a full body length ahead of world record pace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHd07dqkJWY

 

[corianderstem]

"How could you trade Jay Buhner?"

"My people like Ken Phelps' bat"

Okay, as a Seattle resident and baseball fan, I have to ask you to please explain the Jay Buhner quote.

 

[Hewson]

Its a Seinfeld reference. There's an episode where they think George is dead at the Yankees offices where he works, so Mr. Steinbrenner goes to tell George's parents he is dead, and Frank accosts Steinbrener with:
"How could you trade Jay Buhner?!"
and Steinbrenner responds, "My people liked Ken Phelps' bat"

So I figured it was worth putting in a thread dedicated to Ken Phelps' athletic prowess.

 

[Bonochick]

Steinbrenner's here, George is dead, call me back!

 

[Irvine511]

erm, getting back on track ...



[q]Phelps Sets 3rd Record in 3 Days

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Michael Phelps set his third world record in as many days, winning the 200-meter individual medley at the world swimming championships Thursday night.

''Michael is just out of reach,'' bronze medalist Laszlo Cseh of Hungary said.

Phelps used the same strategy he employed in winning the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly -- go to the lead off the starting blocks and stay there.

He came home in 1 minute, 54.98 seconds, bettering his old mark of 1:55.84 set in August at the Pan Pacific championships.

''I went out there and went after it,'' he said. ''Why stop something that works?''

The televised red line showing how close swimmers are to world-record pace was on Phelps' rear as he cruised to the finish ahead of teammate Ryan Lochte, beating his previous best by 0.86 seconds.

''I have to say that it's very impressive,'' said Canadian Brian Johns, who was fifth. ''Not only swimming that fast, but to do it night in and night out with everybody looking at him.''

Phelps pumped his right arm as he checked the scoreboard, then hugged Lochte in the next lane.

Lochte settled for the silver in 1:56.19. Cseh, the European champion, finished third at 1:56.92.

Phelps became the first swimmer to win three world titles in the 200 IM and earned his record 14th world championship medal.

He has also set world records in the 200 freestyle and 200 butterfly. His first gold came as part of the 400 freestyle relay.

''He is just a phenomenon, a mutant or something,'' U.S. women's team captain Tara Kirk said. ''He's just going for personal best times now and they just happen to be world records.''

Phelps is 4-for-4 so far in his pursuit of eight gold medals. He still has the 100 butterfly, 400 individual medley and likely spots on the 400 medley and 800 free relays.

''I'm on that track, yes, but I'm only halfway done,'' he said.[/q]

 

[Irvine511]

and, for what it's worth, the time that Phelps swam leading off the 4x100 free relay would have won the 100 free.

if he continues, this meet must be remembered as one of the greatest efforts in athletics.

we're watching history, people!

 

[Hewson]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/phelpke01.shtml

 

[mdw3935]

Michael Phelps was born to swim, he has the perfect swimming physique. 3 World Records in 3 days, can't wait to see him race Ian Crocker.

I've been watching some of the FINA World Championships on www.wcsn.com since it's not being televised here in the U.S. Also if anyone is interested NBC will show the Duel in the Pool (U.S. vs Australia) on Saturday, April 21, from 2-3 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, from 4-6 p.m.

 

[Dalton]

and, yes, i'm looking at you Roger Federer

I think Roger is laughing. I'm not a fan of either sport (swimming or tennis), but Federer hasn't just dominated single tournaments. He's been DESTROYING the competition for a few years.

Surely, that puts him out of mr. phelps league.

 

[Drea]

Took over a second off?? In freestyle?? Holy SHIT!!

It's too bad Thorpe retired, it would've been interesting to see them head to head again

 

[mdw3935]

Michael Phelps got his 5th gold medal of the world championships being part of the U.S. men's 4x200 meter freestyle team. They also set a world record and took 1.42 off the previous record set by the Australian team.

So he is 5 for 5 with 3 more events coming up. 4 of those gold medals came with world record times.

 

[Irvine511]

Re: Re: Michael Phelps is the single most dominant athlete on the planet, bar none

I think Roger is laughing. I'm not a fan of either sport (swimming or tennis), but Federer hasn't just dominated single tournaments. He's been DESTROYING the competition for a few years.

Surely, that puts him out of mr. phelps league.

i think it's a good question to debate: Phelps vs. Federer. Phelps is destroying his competition this week in a manner reminiscent of Federer. winning a 200 event by 3 seconds -- like he did the 200 fly -- is unheard of, and many say that if he continues, this will widely be considered the greatest individual performance at a swimming competition in history.

and Phelps has been around for quite a few years. he was the youngest US Olympian in over 60 years when he made the 2000 team as a 15 year old. in 2001 he broke his first world record as a 15 year old becoming the youngest man to do it in 60-some odd years. by 2003, he had surpassed Ian Thorpe as the consensus all-around best swimmer in the world and he won 6 gold and 2 bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics which was the single greatest medal count at a non-boycotted Olympics in history. he has broken world records 18 times, so far.

surely this compares with Federer?

 

[randhail]

Question for the swimmers, is there the equivalent to a PGA Tour or ATP Series in swimming or are there just a handful of events throughout the year?

 

[Irvine511]

Question for the swimmers, is there the equivalent to a PGA Tour or ATP Series in swimming or are there just a handful of events throughout the year?

swimmers generally peak twice a year, once in early spring, the other in late summer. there are World Cup events that are held usually in Europe or Asia, sometimes in the US, and swimmers travel around and race usually for small amounts of cash, but those aren't nearly as important as the big meets in March and August. at the end of the year, rankings are done by times, not points accumulated, so there's no formalized overall ranking system, per se. at the end of each year, the major organizations usually then vote on a male and female World Swimmer of the Year, North American Swimmer of the Year, European and Pacific Rim.

the big show is the Olympics, hands down. nothing else even compares for swimming. you could do nothing in the four years in between, but if you strike gold at the Olympics, then you're well-remembered. likewise, you could dominate in between Olympics, but if you can't pull it together for that one competition, your career is a disappointment.

 

[randhail]

Thanks for the info. I guess I'm a little surprised at the relatively low amount of meets throughout the course of the year. I thought that it might have been similar to skiing where you have a World Cup circuit - an overall champ and then individual event champs.

 

[No spoken words]

Michael Phelps was born to swim, he has the perfect swimming physique. 3 World Records in 3 days, can't wait to see him race Ian Crocker.

I've been watching some of the FINA World Championships on www.wcsn.com since it's not being televised here in the U.S. Also if anyone is interested NBC will show the Duel in the Pool (U.S. vs Australia) on Saturday, April 21, from 2-3 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, from 4-6 p.m.

It is being televised in the States, actually. On FOX Sports Net, evert afternoon this past week and over this coming weekend.

 

[mdw3935]

hmm, didn't know this. ^^^^^^
Thanks for the info. I will definitely be watching this weekend. I really want to see the race between him and Ian Crocker for the 100 Fly.

 

[Dalton]

Re: Re: Re: Michael Phelps is the single most dominant athlete on the planet, bar none

i think it's a good question to debate: Phelps vs. Federer. Phelps is destroying his competition this week in a manner reminiscent of Federer. winning a 200 event by 3 seconds -- like he did the 200 fly -- is unheard of, and many say that if he continues, this will widely be considered the greatest individual performance at a swimming competition in history.

and Phelps has been around for quite a few years. he was the youngest US Olympian in over 60 years when he made the 2000 team as a 15 year old. in 2001 he broke his first world record as a 15 year old becoming the youngest man to do it in 60-some odd years. by 2003, he had surpassed Ian Thorpe as the consensus all-around best swimmer in the world and he won 6 gold and 2 bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics which was the single greatest medal count at a non-boycotted Olympics in history. he has broken world records 18 times, so far.

surely this compares with Federer?

Hey Irvine,

I wasn't implying that Phelps hasn't been around for very long. I was trying to say that he hasn't been THIS dominant for that long. To my knowledge, he performed really well at the 04 Olympics (didn't he swim home to america after that event? ) and now he is performing really well now.

Federer has been destroying his competition in EVERY tournament.

I compare Phelps more with Kobe Bryant. Clearly he is always the best performer there, but he doesn't always dominate the competition the way he is now (and Kobe has done the last few weeks).

Would you say that is fair? (again I don't follow swimming very closely).

 

[Irvine511]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Michael Phelps is the single most dominant athlete on the planet, bar none

Hey Irvine,

I wasn't implying that Phelps hasn't been around for very long. I was trying to say that he hasn't been THIS dominant for that long. To my knowledge, he performed really well at the 04 Olympics (didn't he swim home to america after that event? ) and now he is performing really well now.

Federer has been destroying his competition in EVERY tournament.

I compare Phelps more with Kobe Bryant. Clearly he is always the best performer there, but he doesn't always dominate the competition the way he is now (and Kobe has done the last few weeks).

Would you say that is fair? (again I don't follow swimming very closely).

i think it's a really interesting question, and comparisons are only going to take us so far since they are two different sports. what i think makes a comparison so hard is the fact that everyone is playing tennis, and Federer just beats them, whereas Phelps swims multiple events, different strokes, against a wide variety of competitors, many of whom only swim that specific event. they're specialists, and he's an all-arounder, and he still beats them at their own game. the biggest example is Phelps taking down the Ian Thorpe record in the 200 free. Ian Thorpe was widely regarded as the best swimmer on the planet from about 1999-2003, but he was a thoroughbred. he swam freestyle, and that was it. no one was close to him. but Phelps, a butterflyer/IMer, suddenly smashes his record in an event that is probably only his 4th best event, people stand up and take notice.

i'm trying to think of a comparison, but i really can't.

but it's all interesting. i hope i didn't come off too strongly -- i'd love to have the discussion! it's an interesting thing to unpack, just how do you compare athletes from different sports? it's hard enough to compare, say, Kobe to Jordan, but how do you compare Jordan to Federer?

i think what also informs my passionate defense of Phelps is the sense of being unappreciated -- swimmers work out tremendously hard, and it's only a small handful who ever make enough money off the sport to support themselves, let alone get rich. the only wealthy swimmers i can think of are Phelps, Amanda Beard (through modeling), and certainly Ian Thorpe (easily the richest). most endorsement contracts are 6 figures, not 7 or 8 as is the case with, say, Tiger. so, long story short, i just wish people could appreciate a Michael Phelps while he's at his peak in the way that people appreciate a Federer, a Jordan, a Pele, a Tiger, a whomever.