Steve and the Tank! - Just how good is Michael Phelps?

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Michael Phelps has done the impossible. He has achieved something no one has ever done before, won 11 gold medals, more than anyone else in history. He is 5-5 in Beijing and will most likely tie or break Mark Spitz's record of 8 in a single games in route to 14 gold metals in total and 9 in Beijing.

While that is amazing, what is more amazing is how Phelps is winning. He took the world record in each of his 5 events and the 800 meter Freestyle relay was not even close. Watch that here.

Unless injury hit him, Phelps will be back in 2012 at age 27 and can tack on to his records. He is already the best ever, not it remains to be seen just how great it will be.

Posted by Steve in New York

Olympics

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 10:17:42 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [2] |

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 6:02:25 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

And there are already murmurs in the wind that he could make a shot for 2016.

With the sums of money he will be commanding from sponsors after this Olympics, Phelps could easily afford to stay in competitive shape well into his 30's (though I wouldn't expect to see him competing in as many events).

A friend and I caught the 800 meter freestyle in a Spanish tapas place last night. An interesting mix of people stood around the bars lone tv and cheered the US team from start to victory. But what caught me by surprise was the number of conversations afterwards about Phelps & Co, competitive swimming and Speedo swimsuits.

One must be impressed by the sight of a bunch of Brooklyn boys sitting around chewing the fat about backgrounds of the swimmers, the mechanics of there swimming styles and the technical reasons behind the success of the latest swimwear trend. Made me feel real misinformed.

-MEM

Mike

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:23:35 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

That conversation reminds me NYC is the best place on earth.

Bill N. in VT

Bill N. in VT

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