That would make sense because even the bronze medal finishes got OR or WR. That green line seemed to be behind half the field in some races. Men and Woman.
For my money I've always liked Carl Lewis because he was so versatile. Phelps, aside of looking like some sort of malnourished supernerd is an amazing swimmer.
But he still won EVERY race. Yes, he had mor eopportunities, but he didn't falter at all. Considering how intense the level of competition is at this level (any level in the Olympics for that matter), it is even MORE impressive what he was able to accomplish. Some days he had 40 minutes between races. He swam and competed for nine straight days or something like that. That is an insane schedule that would break lesser athletes. Throw in probably the humongous media commitment and everything else he had to do and put up with, and you have yourself a man with an iron will...and he is only 23. Sure, medals don't count for everything, but the dude has 16 of them, 14 of which, are gold. When the numbers start hitting that high, I think you have to take notice and give him the nod.
It probably had more to do with the suit than the pool. Since those new suits have come out, world record times have simply been smashed at seemingly every tournament.
There's definitely a very legit argument for him being the greatest ever, and I'm not even sure I'd argue he isnt tbh.
I'll go with michael Phelps and bob Mathias. I have to put bob on there, because I knew him and his wife. they lived just a few blocks from me.
Yes. In comparison to the pools of the past, this pool was an extra lane wide on each side, and an additional meter deep. However, the suit thing isn't quite on the mark from what I gather. He wore only shorts in individual events. The full body LZR actually compresses the body to be more stream lined. Either way, was there this much complaining about equipment when ceased being dirt?
If we're going on most medals, which some of you are talking about, then Larissa Latynina is the greatest Olympian of all time.
Its not JUST medals, but overall medal count has to factor in heavily. Larissa is certainly in the category. HOWEVER the caveat I always put on Olympic athletes and which ones are the best is that it shouldn't be in judged events. Too much room for error and politics. We have seen it time and time again. Having subjective judging can really enhance or hinder someone and it is left out of their control. Sports like swimming, and track and field, are better barometers simply on the basis that the winners are determined within the field of play. Personally, my criteria list includes: medal count, olympic/world records set, lengevity, variety of sports competed in.
Honorable mention: 33yr old Gymnast http://www.intlgymnast.com/Online-Features/News/399.html Preparing for her fifth Olympic Games, Oksana Chusovitina marked her 33rd birthday Thursday. "I feel perfectly, like I'm still 18 years old!" she told IG this week. A German citizen since 2006, Chusovitina defines "veteran" like no other gymnast today. Many of her competitors were not yet born when she won her first world championships gold medal in 1991. Today a mother to a 9-year-old son, Chusovitina presses on with impressive results. In 2008 she won the vault title at the European Championships, and the all-around title at the German national championships. "I continue training because I really love gymnastics and I still have a zeal for it," she said.
you can't...or shouldn't imo consider Bolt among the best Olympians ever just yet. He's 21 and if he can comeback in 4 years and repeat this amazing performance, then fine. personally, it wouldn't shock me if he went the way of Karam Ibrahim. He was no less dominant within his respective sport, and the best ever labels were abound. And in Athens, perhaps he was, as was Bolt in Bejing. But a couple ventures outside their realm of comfortability, in Ibrahim's case K1, a bit of fame and fun, and expectations will be shattered instead of records.
Two gold medals in the Decathlon certainly puts him in elite company. He competed in three Olympics from what I can gather and broke world records so yes, he would be on the list of candidates. I still think what Carl Lewis dide in his Olympic career is more impressive, as is Michael Phelps who is still inhis early 20's though. Like I said in an earlier post though, anyone who can run a marathon in those times they put up (or for that matter finish a decathlon, let alone win it multiple times), has to at least have their name in the discussion.
Have always had a soft spot for Paavo Nurmi. Only the fact he never faced the tremendous leg kick and resolve of a Kenyan or Ethiopian runner, instills doubt in my mind. Was easy money from 1500M onwards. Racked up 9 golds, 3 silvers from '20-'28. Unable to compete in '32 because he was branded a pro. Simon brings up a clever name in Daley Thompson, especially if we're looking at the greatest athlete in the Olympics. Bruce Jenner, '76 Decathlon Champ, was asked about Michael Phelps being the greatest athlete. Said he was the greatest swimmer, just like Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player, but not the greatest athlete. In terms of having to run, jump, and throw - the standardized test of a person's athletic ability - they would die. They'd make no money, train eight hours a day in virtual isolation, no hype, no nothing. Asked MJ himself, who said he'd fold like a lawn chair in the 1500M. My personal definition of an Olympian is synonymous with majestic or godlike. In that regards, I close my eyes and amongst Greek gods, notice the defiant Jesse Owens, the incomparable Donovan Bailey, the superb Michael Johnson, the joy that is Usain Bolt, the insouciant Daley Thompson, the laserlike focus of Michael Phelps, the imperial air of Alexander Karelin, Nadia Comaneci and her perfect 10's, the tremendous pole vaulter that was Sergey Bubka, the heroic Kathy Freeman, and the grace of Marie-Jo Perec. Weld that athletic mosaic, and you've got the greatest Olympian. All-time, in my small world and youth, that's what I see.
