[maxfreemann]

Number of medals is a testament to dominance. Being able to win in all of those events is extremely difficult. The physical and emotional drain a competitor undergoes from having to compete in 8 events against people who are competing in 2-3 events can be overwhelming.

Think of the horse racing triple crown. One of the reasons winning it is so difficult is that after the Kentucky Derby, the horse gets 2 weeks rest and has to go again in the Preakness against horses that are well-rested. And then go again in 3 weeks against horses that are again more well-rested.

The training it takes to be prepared for 8 events and to win 8 events is incredible.

But it's just swimming...

[Tryphadz]

Dominant is Lezak's time of 46.06 in the relay after Phelps swam a 47.51.

Even those of us who only watch swimming every 4 years know that a 1.45 seconds is a freaking HUGE margin in a 100m race.

[exiceJetLip]

Dominant fashion, eh? He wasn't one of the fastest times in the relay(s).
Off the top of my head, I recall him winning an individual event by 1/100th.



Good question. Someone should figure it out by how dominant in their respective sport... not based on # of opportunity of medals.

off the top of my head, 7 of the 8 golds resulted in world records. the 8th was just an olympic record.

[Adfcvkdg]

off the top of my head, 7 of the 8 golds resulted in world records. the 8th was just an olympic record.

Counterpoint to that is the high-tech suits used -- which are now banned -- arguably contributed to the setting of many of those world records.

[streMunford]

Counterpoint to that is the high-tech suits used -- which are now banned -- arguably contributed to the setting of many of those world records.

that's a terrible counterpoint.

[7UENf0w7]

Counterpoint to that is the high-tech suits used -- which are now banned -- arguably contributed to the setting of many of those world records.

Next thing you are going to say is his webbed feet give him an unfair advantage.

[Lotyqnag]

Dominant is Lezak's time of 46.06 in the relay after Phelps swam a 47.51.

Even those of us who only watch swimming every 4 years know that a 1.45 seconds is a freaking HUGE margin in a 100m race.

Do you think if Lezak had the ability to try and qualify for 8 events in the 2008 Olympics, he would have done so?

[Soassesaisp]

But it's just swimming...

Underlying all of that is -- this is the Olympics and one minor error and you may not even medal in an event.

[sharpyure]

If you take away the 16 Total medals he has won (2 away from this: But if Phelps can win two medals this year he’ll tie gymnast Larisa Latynina as the most decorated Olympic Athlete. Latynina, who helped the Soviet Union assert its dominance in female gymnastics during the 1960s, earned 18 medals (9 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze). Her record has stood since 1964.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/260832/most-olympic-medals-michael-phelps-could-break-larisa-latyninas-record-at-2012-london-olympics/#dQe4lcSiT813wxRs.99), then yes he is overrated.

[altosburg]

Dominant is Lezak's time of 46.06 in the relay after Phelps swam a 47.51.

Even those of us who only watch swimming every 4 years know that a 1.45 seconds is a freaking HUGE margin in a 100m race.

Lezak did swim out of his mind, but you realize Phelps 47.51 is (or at least was at the time) and American record (because only the first leg can count for records since it comes with the standing start)?

What a fucking slouch. Only set the American record in that one. Not even a world record.

[Rememavotscam]

Dominant is Lezak's time of 46.06 in the relay after Phelps swam a 47.51.

Even those of us who only watch swimming every 4 years know that a 1.45 seconds is a freaking HUGE margin in a 100m race.

should have saved that performance the 100 meter individual freestyle.

[!!Aaroncheg]

that's a terrible counterpoint.

Well, if you're trying to argue that the setting of world records makes Phelps dominant, I don't see how it's not a good counterpoint. The world records are tainted because of those suits.

But of course, everyone had those suits, so Phelps wasn't at an advantage.

I'm just saying -- I wouldn't rely on the fact that Phelps and his teammates set world records as an indication of dominance. I think the fact that he won gold in 8 events is enough to argue he was dominant.

[illetrygrargo]

Underlying all of that is -- this is the Olympics and one minor error and you may not even medal in an event.

Exactly.

This is the dumbest argument ever. He certainly may not be the greatest Olympian ever, but under no circumstances can the person with the most gold medals ever in the Olympics be overrated.

[lerobudrse]

Impressive, yes.. of course.
Greatest swimmer in the world from 2008-2012? Sure.
Greatest swimmer of our generation? Ok.
Greatest swimmer all-time? I have no idea.

Greatest Olympian all-time? C'mon... that's just because he has the opportunity to get more medals.

the "opportunity" LMAO.

Yeah, in swimming everyone gets a medal just for showing up. you talk about swimmers racking up all kinds of medals like the shit happens all the time. the medal record that phelps beat was almost a 40 year old record at the time.

[Nfxutkpa]

Lezak did swim out of his mind, but you realize Phelps 47.51 is (or at least was at the time) and American record (because only the first leg can count for records since it comes with the standing start)?

What a fucking slouch. Only set the American record in that one. Not even a world record.

As CPL pointed out, the "records" weren't too meaningful. They were being broken every day in Beijing.
Better to compare Phelps to the other guys in the pool in that race.

8 guys competed between France and USA:
Jason Lezak (46.06)
Frédérick Bousquet (46.63)
Alain Bernard (46.73)
Fabien Gilot (47.05)
Garrett Weber-Gale (47.02)
Michael Phelps (47.51)
Cullen Jones (47.65)
Amaury Leveaux (47.91)

[Ceriopal]

that's a terrible counterpoint.

Wasn't just about every swimming record broken there?

[b91ZmxzX]

He certainly may not be the greatest Olympian ever,

That's the argument.

but under no circumstances can the person with the most gold medals ever in the Olympics be overrated. Ehh, that was just the title to get your attention.

[QiuCIOdO]

As CPL pointed out, the "records" weren't too meaningful. They were being broken every day in Beijing.
Better to compare Phelps to the other guys in the pool in that race.

8 guys competed between France and USA:
Jason Lezak (46.06)
Frédérick Bousquet (46.63)
Alain Bernard (46.73)
Fabien Gilot (47.05)
Garrett Weber-Gale (47.02)
Michael Phelps (47.51)
Cullen Jones (47.65)
Amaury Leveaux (47.91)

well throw out his medals and deem him overrated, it looks like he wasnt the fastest on the planet in one leg of one freaking race.

[Narkeere]

Eric Heiden's sweep of all of the speed skating golds in one olympics is more impressive than what Phelps has done.

[MaraReenece]

As CPL pointed out, the "records" weren't too meaningful. They were being broken every day in Beijing.
Better to compare Phelps to the other guys in the pool in that race.

8 guys competed between France and USA:
Jason Lezak (46.06)
Frédérick Bousquet (46.63)
Alain Bernard (46.73)
Fabien Gilot (47.05)
Garrett Weber-Gale (47.02)
Michael Phelps (47.51)
Cullen Jones (47.65)
Amaury Leveaux (47.91)

So your argument for him being overrated is that in his last event final, out of 8 events, is that he didn't have the best relay leg? Well, you've certainly convinced me.