Phelps is phenom...yes...no doubt about that....the greatest olympic swimmer...yes....and if he breaks Spitz's record beyond boubt......but he cannot be called the greatest olympian for 2 reasons
1. Different sports have different criteria - many dont have so many medals that an individual can win so doesnt mean the others are less great....
2. Longlivity - to be greatest olympian i would say you must have unmatched longlivity like Carl Lewis who won medals in 4 olympics....that is what the olympics is about strength of mind and body and endurance.
RE:Greatest Swimmer not Greatest Olympian
by Mahesh Nathan on Aug 13, 2008 07:27 PM Permalink
I think Phelps will probably be there for another Olympics at least. The debate on who is the greatest will always be there - let me give you one big reason he can be considered the greatest Olympian 1. No of golds in multiple events in a short timeframe. Each swimming stroke and distance is now a specialist art with swimmers focusing exclusively on one event (100 M Butterfly ex)- the range of events shows Phelps swimming prowess. The main point is the ability to do so many races and heats in a short time. His specialist opponents are usually much better rested between events than he is (2 days vs sometimes 40 mins). He still blows them out of the water. All his peers, opponents etc admit that he is a once in a century athlete. Its easy for folks to say that he wins just because he has more events - its a very difficult and incredible feat to accomplish. That's why Carl Lewis's four golds in a single Olympics is considered a great feat.
RE:Greatest Swimmer not Greatest Olympian
by Niraj Paudel on Aug 13, 2008 07:00 PM Permalink
The basic of all the games is same. Strong determination, perseverance, physical and mental fitness and strength, dedication etc. No matter what is the form of the sport, the winner is always a winner and a loser like you will always remain a loser.
