Michael Phelps & My Magic Ball

11 months ago, I posted this column on THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS NETWORK (now Universal Sports). It's a bit out of character for me -- snarky to the point of being mean -- but I got so upset because so many of my peers were saying Michael Phelps couldn't go 8 for 8 in Beijing. Here's what I wrote, January 29th of 2008...

GOLD MEDAL MEL: Thorpe v Phelps, The Facts

Ian Thorpe’s mantra has always been that Michael Phelps won’t break Mark Spitz’s Olympic record of seven gold medal wins. Yesterday, January 28^th, 2008, according to Reuters, Thorpe was at it again.

     From Beijing, surely on a fat-cat corporate tour to line his pockets, Thorpe told reporters Michael wouldn’t make history in 2008 because “there’s a thing called competition.”

     I’ve never been a big fan of Thorpe, a.k.a “The Thorpedo.” He lacks the edge I like to see in my swimming heroes. In his defense, he is witty, and face-to-face, he’s nice, but I always hated how he presented himself as an aquatic Rockstar, because at best he’s rockstar-light.

     Winning three gold medals at the 2000 Aussie Games, Thorpe boyishly waved to the hometown crowd, smiling. But at the 2004 Athens Games, he bristled when the media cast Michael Phelps as their darling.

     Thorpe was supposed to be eternally sweet, or at least that was the propaganda his P.R. handlers were pushing. I think he came off catty, then surly, and ultimately whiny. Lest we forget, Thorpe was under immense pressure to equal Mark Spitz’s haul of seven gold medals in Athens, and his chances weren’t farfetched considering his six wins at the 2001 World Championships. Thorpe was “The Thorpedo” back then. No doubt. But three years later, at the 2004 Olympics, he lacked the edge I’m talking about.

     Thorpe is, how should I put this, a cosmopolitan type of dude. He likes media, and money, and being a paid ambassador for Armani suits. That’s all fine and well in the world of athletic endorsements, but to transcend Olympic history, you have to do the unthinkable. To be a true athletic rock-star, you have to be “the balls.” Thorpe wasn’t in Athens. Thorpe hedged. He focused on his core swims instead of competing in seven events.

     Bottom line: Thorpe didn’t go for it. Michael Phelps did.

     Watching Michael win six gold medals and two bronze in Athens probably chapped Ian Thorpe where the sun don’t shine. Thorpe had to know he was watching the greatest swimmer of all-time. Of course Thorpe was congratulatory in front the cameras. But in the maelstrom of his mind, I assure you Michael Phelps had taken up residence.

     The "tipping point" was the bold challenge Michael made in Athens in the 200 free. That was undeniably Ian Thorpe’s best event, his baby. Michael lost to Thorpe in that race. But Michael was “the balls.” He ran down the Aussie on the last fifty charging into the final wall. Had there been five more meters, Michael would have won. Ian Thorpe knew that, and he knew his was career done.

     Ever since 2004, Ian Thorpe has been waffling about his swimming. Meanwhile, Michael turned in another fast 200 free at the 2005 World Championships in Canada.

     “When I’m able to stand up against Thorpe (and Hoogenband) again, then it will be a better challenge,” Phelps told a reporter from the Baltimore Sun. Then he added, “I’m sure if they’re (Thorpe and Hoogenband) like me, they’re watching all the results. They’re great competitors, and hopefully I’ll have my chance to race them.”

     That was the nail in Thorpe’s coffin. The subtext of that quote wasn’t lost on him: I am King Michael, the consummate gentlemen, but I am coming for you, Ian.

     Michael’s coach, Bob Bowman, even saw the writing on the wall. “Thorpe was the greatest middle-distance swimmer of all-time,” he said graciously. I don’t know for sure, but I think Bob was offering Thorpe an olive branch so he could expire with dignity.

     For the record, Thorpe retired November 22^nd, 2006, sighting aquatic apathy. Yeah. Apathy for silver. I don’t buy it for a second.  

     There are reports that Michael and Ian Thorpe are friends. I’ve asked around and most people confirm them. I believe it. Michael would never even allow friction between him and any swimmer.

     That’s probably the scariest characteristic of Michael. In many ways, you could describe his career as absolute control. For competitors, that must be frightening. Michael’s almost like a programmed computer around the pool. He swims his swims and recovers so rapidly, he’s like an indifferent hit-man; his wins are eerily cool and mean.

     I know. I’m gushing, and I know what you’re thinking: Michael’s a US citizen, so I’m partial. And to be perfectly honest, I have to admit I have a man-crush on Michael.

     He’s the true rockstar.

     Ian Thorpe is not.     

     And if you doubt Michael chances of beating Mark Spitz’s record in Beijing, you’re not only blind, you’re ignorant about the present state competitive swimming.

***Feels good to read that column again. I don't hate Thorpe, but MP's my hero, and that's how I've always felt about him*****

 

Comments

[jdy]

Mel, you nailed the difference between MP and Thorpe...MP and every other great swimmer, really. Because Thorpe was great. There's been a lot of great swimmers. But Michael is the greatest of all time. And putting it all on the line is what separates him from the pack.

Thorpe tried the 200IM at some point, but backed off once he realized MP was too far ahead of him. That was probably the smart thing to do; nothing wrong with that. That's what nearly everyone else does.

But MP became my favorite with that 200 free in Athens. I really thought he had no chance. He gave up a spot in the 200 back (which, at the time, I thought he had a better chance to medal in). I wondered, why so determined to race the 200 free? Then in interviews I heard him say he just wanted to race the best. Instant fan, right there. Thorpe wouldn't face him in the IM's anymore. Fine. He'll take him on on Thorpe's turf, Thorpe's specialty. And then to come so close to chasing him down...win or lose, it really showed that Michael was a different breed.

It occurred to me that this guy wasn't afraid of anything. He wasn't afraid of Thorpe. He wasn't afraid of not racing in one of his specialties. He wasn't afraid of losing. He hates it. But he's not afraid of it. Not even at the Olympics. And that can make him scary-good. When you can operate without fear, what can't you do?

[goldmedalmel]

MP can swim until he's in his mid 30s, no doubt, though I doubt he will... More than anything, my motivation for MP continuing past 2012 is selfish. I know he'll continue to bring attention to the sport... My goal is to help other swimmers gain some attention and appreciation in the meantime. We need to spread more love around the aquatic world....

[Andy]

Lily,
I don't feel that Michael's retirement will occur due to him falling out of the position as our world's best swimmer. For one thing, Michael Phelps has motivation and a work ethic that is second to none. The scary thing about him is, as long as he wants to be #1, he probably will be. I think the 100 fly in Beijing, regardless of how close he came to losing it, is the best source I can think of to prove that point. He doesn't want to lose! I think ultimately his retirement will be based on his feeling that he has nothing more he can do with the sport. That being said, it will probably be a while. I'm extremely excited to see what happens when Michael starts swimming events like the 100 free, 200 back, and am especially anxious to see how working on speed will affect his 100 fly. I don't see how anyone can predict Michael falling off the podium anytime soon. I mean, he's a predominantly 400 IM and 200 free kind of swimmer, and he broke the American record in the 100 free leading off the 4X100 relay! As long as he has the drive to get in the pool and work, he will be breaking world records and winning gold medals, and he will probably do so at just about any stroke/distance he chooses. Which is just rediculous...
Basically, when Michael gets to the point that he feels he can no longer improve his swimming, I think he will step away from the sport. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.
Oh..and Lily, I was just putting out there what I think. You and Mel may both feel differently. But I think we all agree that Mel's article hit right on the nail :)

[Lily]

Wow Mel, you do have a man-crush on Michael!
But Mel, perhaps Michael should do the same as Thorpe:retire. Retire while he's The King, the One and Only.It would break my heart, I know, not to be able to watch him swimming ever again. Still, somewhere in this world there's a young dude who'll chalenge Phelps and beat him, eventually. Will Phelps let this happen?
You say:"he’s like an indifferent hit-man; his wins are eerily cool and mean", but he is not. Remember his 100 fly against Cavic? What would you do, Mel, if you were Michael? Would you go or would you stay so you could win one or two bronze medals more? I think Thorpe left right on time. He knew his time was up.

[Candace]

You know, as much as I make fun of MP (which is A LOT) I have so much respect for him and what he's done. Even those cliche sports montages get to me sometimes. The fact that he even tried to break that record is really something - once you announce a goal like that all the outside pressure starts to pile on (as evidence by NBC's inability to STOP talking about it)

I think sometimes it's hard for a mere mortal like myself to understand how much work actually went into what he's done because it seems so natural for him. The only gold medal I ever won was for High School band.

Now, if you had predicted Ian Thorpe becoming a big fat fatty, you would be the wisest of all.

[goldmedalmel]

Tiaragurl, "with effort comes grace...."

That's so beautiful. I'm sharing that with Tif as soon as we have a moment....

[goldmedalmel]

Crystal, I knew MP was gonna go 8 for 8 after world champs in 07. (Not to take anything away from all the other great swimmers, but, the facts as I saw them, the odds were against everyone else. Not MP....

[crystal]

Bottom line: Thorpe didn’t go for it. Michael Phelps did.
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i got goosebumps when i read that o_o because it's so true.

just so you know, it's nice actually knowing that your man crush is genuine. it's one thing to write about an athlete, attend their meets, say you're on board when you're a mediocre fan at best. but it's a completely different story (no pun intended) when you love what the person can do in their respective sport of choice, obviously in this case - mfp.

i've never been a big fan of thorpe either. even when i watched swimming in the past. but i know michael has a lot of respect for him, and would seriously love nothing more than to have a chance to swim against him again. which, let's be honest, will probably never happen ever again. but wouldn't it be nice?

[Tiaragurl]

I still cannot believe all of this actually happened. I tell my yoga students all the time that with effort comes grace. One of the things MIchael does is make it look so easy-that ease can only come with all of the insane hard work he has put in all these years. I also think Bob Bowman's role can never be touted enough-I know some call him the maestro but again from my background he is a guru-a teacher, remover of darkness. I think only when a few decades go by will I be able to absorb all this and I don't even swim really.