Michael Phelps

[Fresh8]

So, what's your verdict?

Is it too hard for Phelps to win 8 Olympic Gold Medals?

He's most at risk of losing the 100 fly where his main competitor is fully rested and prepared for that one race. That's right, the dude most likely to beat him is only racing in that one event for the whole games and it comes near the end of the Olympics.

He won 6 gold and 2 bronze at Athens. The record is 7 golds by Spitz back in Mexico 1972 (or something like that) I believe.

How many gold medals will Phelps win in Beijing?

My bet is 7 gold, 1 silver. I will be keeping a very close watch on this though.

[Matthew]

Munich 1972, not Mexico. Mexico was 1968 with the black power controversy.

[Brave Sir Rubin]

7 would be a nice round number.

I was was watching the trials though...and Phelps looked to be in as great of a shape as ever. He was .1 seconds away from breaking the world record on one of the qualifiers.

[Fresh8]

Munich 1972, not Mexico. Mexico was 1968 with the black power controversy

My bad. Yeh, Mexico was when my old swim coach swam in. 72 was Spitz's year.

Oh yeh, just saying, 3 gold, 3 world records. This is pretty crazy. And the way he has smashed his own world records by half to a full bodylength is amazing. Everyone says I might as well be a yank if I am rooting for him but it's more of the fact that Phelps is one of those amazing once in a generation athletes.

People can put aside national 'pride' to appreicate what is history that is being made in front of their eyes.

[Matthew]

Australian supporters are the biggest whingers and hypocrites out of all fan bases. It's also showing how close minded these Aussie analysts are who called Thorpe the best swimmer in the world when Phelps won 6 gold medals in 2004.

But yeah, cheer who you want on. I hope he gets the 8.

[Andrew]

The backlash over the supposed "unsportsmanlike" celebration is ridiculous. I read some of the comments on ninemsn when I was checking out the latest medal tallies and there's the usual "typical arrogant Yanks" sentiment flying around and claims that Australian athletes are much more gracious in defeat and victory (which historically, we haven't been). I guarantee if we'd won that event and our guys celebrated like that, you wouldn't hear a peep. Xenophobia and ignorant stereotypes are an ugly part of Australian national pride.

I too would like to see Phelps get the eight. Truth be told, I'd like it if an Australian could achieve such a feat but excellence is worthy of admiration and respect.

[Matthew]

Are you surprised at all about the backlash?

[Andrew]

Not particularly, but it's about time people got over the stereotype and stopped boycotting or badmouthing people, customs and television shows simply because they're American. It won't happen, though.

[Drex]

The backlash over the supposed "unsportsmanlike" celebration is ridiculous.

Which event?

[Andrew]

The 4x100 relay.

[Drex]

You've got to be kidding me. I would have run all over the stadium screaming until my lungs exploded.

[Andrew]

Exactly, nothing about it was unsportsmanlike. Some people have suggested they should have "congratulated first, then celebrated" but it's not like Australian athletes always do that. It's all very silly in my opinion.

[The X]

Australia has no problem celebrating like that when they win, they just have different standards for competitors....I guess it's also part of the reason everybody outside of Australia hates the Australian cricket team (& it has nothing to do with them always winning, as everybody liked & respected players like Alan Border & Steve Waugh & the teams that they led)....

[Matthew]

Everyone respected Waugh but they often ripped Shane Warne apart for his celebrations.

It would be nice if people could appreciate greatness instead of trying to bring it down all the fucking time though.

[Joker.]

I'd say he will win all 8.

5 gold medals, 5 world records so far. The dude is unbelievable.

[Andrew]

Australia has no problem celebrating like that when they win, they just have different standards for competitors....I guess it's also part of the reason everybody outside of Australia hates the Australian cricket team (& it has nothing to do with them always winning, as everybody liked & respected players like Alan Border & Steve Waugh & the teams that they led)....

Yeah, the hypocrisy and contempt some Australians have towards America (and other nations for that matter) is embarrassing, like I said it's a real ugly side of Australian national pride. I love my country but there's no way we can claim to be innocent of unsportsmanlike behaviour.

[shadowgrin]

Phelps is tearing the Olympics a new one.

[cyanide]

Five facts about Phelphs five gold medals

Well, he has six now, but still.

[Andrew]

Truly an amazing effort already. I'm just waiting for the steroid allegations to start flying around though, that'll be the next thing to rear its ugly head.

[wade_03]

He has 6 right now? Isn't it 7?

[Jing]

He's broken a record in like every race he's entered almost.

[L10]

Yeah he has 7 right now!!
By the way can he get 9 at this olympics?

[benji]

Derb noted something I've always disliked about the Olympics. Phelps can win so many because of his sport of choice (swimming) while other sports can never win more than one.

I guess I only care, like always, because of the media...there's talk about him being the "greatest athlete ever" circulating now. I mean, he can't just be the greatest swimmer of all time?

[Lamrock]

I agree, its stupid. There are literally about 50 swimming events, but they are almost identical to each other.

[Andrew]

He has 6 right now? Isn't it 7?

His total was still at six when cyanide posted. He's got the seven now though.

By the way can he get 9 at this olympics?

I don't think so, I believe he's only competing in eight events.