Update: Phelps Wins Number Eight
Posted on August 18th, 2008 by ecthompson
Like most Americans, I watch swimming once every four years. I used to swim for exercise so I know how hard the sport is. Michael Phelps has won eight gold medals. This brings up the question that everyone has been asking, or will ask: Is Phelps the greatest athlete of our time?
Update: One of my good friends reminded me of Carl Lewis and Edwin Moses who ran the hurdles undefeated for over 10 years. Then Keith Olbermann, a sports historian, reminded everyone of Jim Thorpe (see the video below). Okay, so Michael Phelps isn’t the best ever. He is still extremely good and he will be very rich, very soon.
Not even the best Olympian… Carl Lewis is much better. Most of the swimming medals are repetitive; the skill set required to win one isn’t that much different than the skill set to win another. Also, recovery times in swimming are much less than Track & Field.
But as far as best athlete, my vote goes to Edwin Moses. He never lost his event (hurdles) for 10 years, 100+ consecutive finals… to anyone who dared show up.
GREAT point.
Thanks