[Unamannuato]

i'd like to know who are better olympians than a guy who is so good he's able to qualify for 8 events and then goes on to win, in most cases in dominant fashion, all 8 events.

who are these superior olympians?

[Mqcawkzd]

You certainly can argue he isn't the greatest Olympian of all-time, but overrated? Are you fucking kidding me?

"It's just swimming." Bwahahahahaha....

[TEFSADDERFISA]

He does 100-200m freestyle and butterfly. I think I get the diversity.

Try to swim a 400 yd. IM sometime and get back to me.

[rfceicizgm]

Try to swim a 400 yd. IM sometime and get back to me.

ITT: We dare interweb posters to do Olympian level tasks.

[agrismhig]

There is obviously no other type of event where someone could rack up so many medals, so I see what you are getting at. Even so, to perform at such a high level in so many events with so little down time is impressive.

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.

[lymnCymment]

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.

Clearly overrated.

[ZanazaKar]

Try to swim a 400 yd. IM sometime and get back to me.

ITT: We dare interweb posters to do Olympian level tasks. He doesn't have to set the world record. I just challenge him to do it without drowning.

[HotDolly]

i'd like to know who are better olympians than a guy who is so good he's able to qualify for 8 events and then goes on to win, in most cases in dominant fashion, all 8 events.

who are these superior olympians?

[cliceperperIa]

He does 100-200m freestyle and butterfly. I think I get the diversity.

he doesn't do 100m freestyle. but clearly he should, he'd obviously win it.

[ivandiadser]

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.

Because number of gold medals in the Olympics should have nothing to do with the argument of greatest Olympian of all-time.

[29clepayJainync]

never heard of her. so she's obviously underrated.

[alicewong]

never heard of her. so she's obviously underrated.

But also, as you can clearly see, far superior.

[rarpAcconavox]

i'd like to know who are better olympians than a guy who is so good he's able to qualify for 8 events and then goes on to win, in most cases in dominant fashion, all 8 events.

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.

who are these superior olympians? Good question. Someone should figure it out by how dominant in their respective sport... not based on # of opportunity of medals.

[PaulRyansew]

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.

Now is when we discuss the difference between "most" and "all"...

[NudiJuicervich]

who are these superior olympians?

I'd still take Jordan over Phelps.

[antiggill]

Now is when we discuss the difference between "most" and "all"...

I don't recall him dominating... my recollection is it was exciting because there was usually someone else in the pool that could give him a run in the finals.

[ZESINTERS]

Call me crazy, but wouldn't Phelps earn points just on the basis of performing on an Olympic level in so many events?

That's a whole 'nother level of endurance, over, say, a rower that dominates in the one race he competes in, no?

[Jasonstawnosaa]

I'd still take Jordan over Phelps.

As far as Olympic performance?

Better say Barkley and Mullin as well.

[ssyyyrruho]

Call me crazy, but wouldn't Phelps earn points just on the basis of performing on an Olympic level in so many events?

That's a whole 'nother level of endurance, over, say, a rower that dominates in the one race he competes in, no?

This.

[reawnvam]

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.

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.