Michael Phelps: Not Manufactured, but not the greatest either....
http://www.Printnpost.net/articles/8618/1/Michael-Phelps-Not-Manufactured-but-not-the-greatest-either/Page1.html
Paperbag Luchadore
I've a journalist of 11 years, a father of two boys, and a devoted husband
And I'm also into politics and current events and humor, and be sure to check out my blog as well! By Paperbag Luchadore
Published on 08/17/2008
Is Michael Phelps the greatest Olympian?
How do you measure greatness in Michael Phelps?
Michael Phelps equals eight gold medals and has a swimmer's stroke that would be the envy of any dolphin or shark.
Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi should be proud.
Let's not forget Carl Lewis, who won nine gold medals. I would have to see Phelps win like 5 or six more at the next Olympics for me to say that he is the greatest ever. And let's not forget Finland's Paavo Nurmi, who won nine gold medals in the 1920s.
And what about Jesse Owens? He won four but hell, there was a lot of racial tension back then too that he had to go through, something that Phelps didn't have to go through.
Here's my thought: I'm not going to sit here and sound like I'm hating, but to say that he's the greatest ever could be stretch right now. Is he the greatest of this time? Maybe so. Michael Jordan was hailed as the greatest of all time but there have been several basketball greats. Babe Ruth was considered the greatest of all time but as we see greatness can be devoured if you're counting on numbers.
So with that being said, Phelps is a great athlete, not manufactured, honest (thank God). This is his moment and I hope that he cherishes every moment because he deserves it.
But NBC can, knowing they built their whole marketing campaign for the network around the 'hope' that Phelps would make it.
Thank goodness that Phelps is confident, and focused and doesn't need NBC.
Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi should be proud.
Let's not forget Carl Lewis, who won nine gold medals. I would have to see Phelps win like 5 or six more at the next Olympics for me to say that he is the greatest ever. And let's not forget Finland's Paavo Nurmi, who won nine gold medals in the 1920s.
And what about Jesse Owens? He won four but hell, there was a lot of racial tension back then too that he had to go through, something that Phelps didn't have to go through.
Here's my thought: I'm not going to sit here and sound like I'm hating, but to say that he's the greatest ever could be stretch right now. Is he the greatest of this time? Maybe so. Michael Jordan was hailed as the greatest of all time but there have been several basketball greats. Babe Ruth was considered the greatest of all time but as we see greatness can be devoured if you're counting on numbers.
So with that being said, Phelps is a great athlete, not manufactured, honest (thank God). This is his moment and I hope that he cherishes every moment because he deserves it.
But NBC can, knowing they built their whole marketing campaign for the network around the 'hope' that Phelps would make it.
Thank goodness that Phelps is confident, and focused and doesn't need NBC.