My Olympic Star for 2008: Michael Phelps

Recently on the iStadia.com forum I asked who will be the stars of the 2008 Olympics, and why?

I nominated Michael Phelps, the American swimmer, and thought I would expand on my choice in a blog. I'd really like to know who your choice would be.

As many of you will know, Phelps is widely expected to try and equal or better Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals (all of which he also broke a world record in).

My argument is that if Phelps can win 7 golds in Beijng (he's may compete in 8-10 events), it would represent a greater achievement than that of Spitz - even if he doesn't get the world records to match. Training methods and sport science have helped to take the sport to a depth of competitiveness that I've not seen in any other sport. I watch athletics and see the field really strung out over a 400m - approximately 45 seconds worth of running - for example. Don't the controversy over swimsuits distract the argument either - for most of the top swimmers in Beijing will be wearing Speedo's LZR racer costume - and not the other way around.

Yet, Phelps still stands out as a phenomenon. He's like Michael Johnson with versatility. I really didn't think anyone would dominate the pool like Ian Thorpe did for a long time, but Phelps has outshone the 'Thorpedo' and a cynic might argue that his increasing dominance might even have played a part in Thorpe's decision to retire from the sport.

Michael Phelps's record is already incredible. In Athens (2004) he won four golds and two silvers, before winning 7 golds at last year's world championships in Melbourne. That was despite the American's being disqualified in the heats of the medley relay - an event that they probably would have won (Phelps won the individual 100 fly event).

Phelps will be 23 when he competes at this year's Olympic Games. Assuming he competes in London 2012, he may well surpass the achievements of Russian gymnast Larissa Latynina, who has the distinction of winning the most medals in Olympic history. What then.. ...well, perhaps the possibility of competing in a home Olympics in 2016 will keep him going until he's 31...

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