Michael Phelps: Man or Machine?

Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by LIGHTSOUT225, Aug 12, 2008.

  1. LIGHTSOUT225

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    Michael Phelps, American Olympic swimmer, is soon to be the most prolific olympic swimmer ever. So far in the Beijing Games, Phelps has competed in 3 races, and has 3 Gold Medals. He has 9 Gold medals throughout his Olympic career, and 11 Medals overall. That mark currently ties him with the likes of Karl Lewis, Mark Spitz, as well as 2 others for most Olympic Medals ever. He is aiming for 8 Gold Medals in the Beijing Games alone. He was over a full body length ahead of 2nd place in the 200m Free. He slaughtered the world record for the 200m Freestyle by nearly A FULL SECOND. He also voluntarily participates in the most strict drug testing out there right now. He is clean.

    It seems unreal to me. I now put Michael Phelps on Tiger Wood's status, for complete domination of his sport. He might even be more impressive than Tiger, to be honest. Which is really scary to say.

    How can one man be so far ahead of the game? Especially if he is clean. I'm only 22, but Ive never read or heard or seen anyone dominate something ad much as Phelps has swimming. He's almost super-human. Thoughts?
     
    #1 LIGHTSOUT225, Aug 12, 2008
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2008
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  2. Murdock Sampson

    Murdock Sampson Ancient
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    Machine. He can't be human. He must be stopped.

    But it's nice that we're winning a few though.

    And unfortunately, he won't be as widely known as say Tiger, because swimming isn't the most famous sport. But he is a great athelte.
     
  3. Supernaut

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    I must say he is a machine probably like the terminator only waterproof and sent back in time to win gold medals.
     
  4. Knight Kninja

    Knight Kninja Ancient
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    i just watched him break the world record. amazing he is. but man he is
     
  5. Norlinsky

    Norlinsky Guest

    I want him to race a dolphin. I bet he would win
     
  6. XxTexasHornxX

    XxTexasHornxX Ancient
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    Although he is great, I don't think he is to Tiger Woods status yet. He does have a TV add, but he doesn't have his own apparel, equipment, video game, sports drink, commercials of him on the moon (lol), etc. He also hasn't been dominating as long as Woods. I understand that most Olympians only have a lifespan of a couple Olympics, but he has only dominated two Olympics so far. The field in a golf tournament is also much larger than the 7 swimmers Phelps is competing against. To consistently win golf tournaments against the best in the world is much more impressive than doing the same in swimming because swimming is one motion while in golf, Tiger has to oust hundreds of golfers on a 4 day tournament when one bad hole can screw you over.

    It isn't really a knock to Phelps as it is to swimming because even though it probably takes more athletic ability, isn't (and never will be) as competitive as golf. He can dominate the sport for the next 10 years, and he still won't be on the same level as Woods because of the sports popularity, and he can't make clutch comebacks or putts (although the 4x100 relay was pretty damn clutch).

    The olympics have been amazing so far.
     
  7. SE7ENS1NS4M

    SE7ENS1NS4M Ancient
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    I say machine, and you know how i do; rage against the machine.
    We must stop him
     
  8. LIGHTSOUT225

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    i could care less about the two sports popularity.. but i see what you're saying.
     
  9. XxTexasHornxX

    XxTexasHornxX Ancient
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    I could care less too. I was just saying that as long as swimming is as popular as it is he will not be at Tiger Woods status no matter how many golds he wins.
     
  10. LIGHTSOUT225

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    Well he just came back, 50 minutes after the 200m Freestyle Finals, and got 1st in his 200m Butterfly semifinal heat. He was in 2nd to last for the first leg, like 3 or 4th for the 2nd two legs, then sprang into 1st with the final leg and won by like half a body length. its insane, ive never seen anything like it. And he wasn't even giving it his all.
     
  11. Nemihara

    Nemihara Ancient
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    The title reminds me way too much of this strip.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. xxAl Capwnagexx

    xxAl Capwnagexx Ancient
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    neither: fish.

    For those that check espn.com every 10 seconds, the fan nation quote was: "Chad Johnson raced a horse, why doesn't Michael Phelps race a shark? It'll give him some competition".

    I like Phelps and CJ (I live in cincy). So yeah.
     
  13. super trooper88

    super trooper88 Ancient
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    But you know, he has size 17 feet, basically has flippers.
     
  14. XxTexasHornxX

    XxTexasHornxX Ancient
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    Chad Johnson isn't anywhere near the fastest man alive nor football player.

    When I was reading this post on Chad Johnson, they were doing a feature on him on ESPN.
     
  15. EGP

    EGP Ancient
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    If he was machine wouldnt he blow up if he gets water in his mouth jk
    He is a very talented swimmer and he found what his talent was when he was young he deserves it
     
  16. Draw the Line

    Draw the Line Ancient
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    His shoe size is a US 14. It seems this man was born to swim.

    Do they all wear wet suits? It could possibly be what he's wearing that is giving him the edge.
     
  17. super trooper88

    super trooper88 Ancient
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    If there is a swimsuit that provides a tangible advantage in the water, you can bet that all of the swimming athletes are wearing them.

    I think there is one 'super suit' that provides no resistance in the water and is extremely lightweight. I know that Phelps was wearing it for the 4x100m freestyle relay, and most of the other swimmers wear it too.
     
  18. the other dark

    the other dark Ancient
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    Is this going to turn into some sort of conspiracy theory? Phelps doesn't cheat. He isn't a machine. He is, though, a great swimmer. One of the best in the world.

    Anyways, I thought that one 4x100 relay was epic. The last swimmer on the US team was amazing. The French team got what was coming.
     
  19. XxTexasHornxX

    XxTexasHornxX Ancient
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    I love when athletes talk **** before an event and lose. I have never understood it either because you come across as an arrogant douchebag if you win or you come come across as... well... an arrogant douchebag that can't back it up. It was especially bad because Alain Bernard, who was the 100 meter freestyle world record holder and the one talking, was caught by an aging Lezak.
     
  20. Skill Caster

    Skill Caster Ancient
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    200m in under a second? ...D=
     

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