ROME Showdown: Michael Phelps v Milorad Cavic

Milorad Cavic had a lot more to say in our interview. He covered the gamut, 

from the FINA suit fiasco to athletes doping. (I'll post the additional video later.)

Cavic became famous in the spring of 2008 (before he ever faced-off with Phelps), when he won the 50 meter butterfly in world record time (23.11) at the European Championships, then proceeded to accept his gold medal wearing a T-shirt that read "Kosovo is Serbia" during the awards ceremony. Cavic was promptly excused from the rest of competition, creating a huge question mark regarding his speed in the 100 butterfly. Many felt he was on track to go 50 seconds in the 100 fly, which he achieved later at the Olympic Games in Beijing when he nearly halted Phelps' record setting 8-gold medal haul. 

Cavic is a proud Serbian, as well as a Cal Berkley graduate. His nationalistic bent is deep and nuanced, something that doesn't always come across in video "sound bites". 

Here's CNN's coverage of the European Championship story, which adds a little more background: 

 

Back in the late spring of 2008, I carried my bias about Cavic with me, not following the story closely enough. Sadly, the sound bites made up all I really knew about him.  Aside from that I didn't think Cavic had a shot at a gold medal in Beijing at the Olympics.  

Interestingly, I did interview Cavic at a USA Swimming Grand Prix Series competition in Omaha a mere 3 weeks from US Olympic Trials. Cavic was low-key and eloquent, but he stated flatly that he would challenge Phelps in Beijing, that he would be in contention for gold.  I thought, Brash dude! Good luck with that!  But I immediately liked him.  I like, or more accurately, I love any athlete who has an undying belief in him or herself.  That breed tends to pull-off the impossible. 

At the World Championships in Rome, the Cavic v Phelps match is the most anticipated race. Adding to the drama will be the FINA Suit Fiasco.  Phelps will be wearing the LZR Racer, which only has panels of non-permeable fabric (material, many believe, creates floatation, resulting in faster swims).   Cavic, now an Arena sponsored athlete, will most likely be in an Arena X-Glide, which is made-up of 99% non-permeable fabric. (Arena engineered several tiny holes in the X-Glide model after it didn't make the infamous FINA approved list in May.) 

Cavic spoke to me at length about the "FINA Suit Wars" issue.  He feels the suits nearly make this World Championships a "joke". He added that athletes didn't have a voice in FINA's decision making process. His frustration could be felt an ocean away over the telephone interview.

At the end of the day, whoever takes the 100 butterfly crown in Rome will be make history.  Additionally, Cavic's fame will increase.  He became a darling of the highbrow sports writers in Beijing last summer. They all commented on his intelligence and grace after his "fingernail" loss to Phelps. 

Michael Phelps is Mr. Swimming.  He has kicked the door open, media-wise. Swimming matters on the global stage.  Few athletes have even attempted to follow Phelps through that door.  Cavic is one of them. (At Worlds I'll be on the lookout for others with the same potential...) 

For the straight stuff on Milorad Cavic, go to his blog here.

Comments

[viagra online]

OK we lost a couple of points to Kirkham but we also cemented the runner-up placing with a big gap back to Plater, who’s still injured. I’m sure the fans loved watching the two Kawasaki’s battling it out in race two but I was genuinely surprised to see Simon cross the line in front of Howie!

[Lila]

Cavic is the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nick Thompson]

I also like this Serb guy a lot. I tend to root for the underdog, and against a giant like Phelps, it will be quite the race.

I also agree the Phelps camp has made way too much noise about him losing. What gives? Phelps is not allowed to lose a race ever??? Bid deal. Grow up and get back in the pool.