You know greatness when you see it. When you were watching MJ you saw it. When you were watching Montana you saw it. When you were watching Ali you saw it. Greatness doesn't have a question mark behind it. It is known to everyone not just sports fan, but everyone. Your grandmother knows it, Your wife who hasn't watched a sporting event all year knows it; you kid who normally watches Noggin 24/7 knows it because greatness transcends; it permeates. It is its own zone. It's own atmosphere. It's own feel.
As you watched Michael Phelps in the 2008 Olympics, you knew you were watching greatness. You knew you were watching something special. Sometimes we get caught up in thinking that the only great athletes are the ones who can catch, shoot, run or hit a ball, which couldn't be farther from the truth. Because one of the greatest athletes of our time or any time never stepped on a "field".
Try to do anything 17 times in 9 days and see how you feel? Now try to do that against the best competition in the world, many of whom haven't did anything before competing against you and themselves are considered at the top of their sport. Then on top of that, try to accomplish something that has never been done in the history with a bullet on your chest. What do you think the chances are that you would succeed?
One of my favorite quotes of all time is from the great Ric Flair (queue my Ric Flair gif please).
"To Be The Man You Have To Beat The Man"
Everyone wanted to beat Michael Phelps. But no one could. Even when they thought they won, they came up a little bit short.
Sometimes you can tell more about how great an athlete is by the reactions of their opponent. To a man, they all have the same face after the lost to Phelps. Some disgust, some admiration, but above, all just look in awe and disbelief. They all come in with the belief that they can win and they all walk away with nothing but silver or bronze.
When I am a gray-haired BonaFide Sports Expert and I am trying to talk to my grandkids (who won't be listening) about the greatest moments in sports, I will relay the story about how I witnessed the greatest Olympic athlete of all time.
Michael Phelps has 14 career gold medals, and here is the scary part. He is planning on swimming in the 2012 Olympics. While it would be unexpected for him to repeat this performance in 2012, there is a good chance he will increase his gold medal count. To put that in perspective, there are countries that haven't won 14 gold medals in the history of the Olympics Games.
Many, myself, included have started to call Phelps "Aquaman." But, in reality, he is bigger than that. Aquaman is a bit player and Phelps is much more than that. Some would say he is a "God" in the pool. Which why, from now on, he will be called "Poseidon" Phelps.
Greatness has been recognized.
You said it best he is a Serial Killer
black people watch swimming
Good read. You dont see too many performances like this. Any real competitor whether it be an athelete or non-athelete has to give Phelps his props.
That pic of Poisedon is ill. Plus the other pic of Phelps touching the wall first is classic