I still tear up at that moment in the Sydney Games when they cross the line, because that was something that none of us had really dared to believe would happen *again*.
I agree. In terms of sheer medals won, Phelps is undoubtedly the greatest Olympian ever, but that's not all that matters to me. I find so much more admirable the accomplishments of people who have gone through hardships, or been perpetual silver medalists, and yet keep coming back and giving it their all and demonstrating that basic respect of the Olympic Games. I think Michael Phelps is great and I'm thrilled for him, and there's no denying how momentous his achievement was, but he's not going on top of my list.
The one thing that stands out for me in this analysis (which is fantastic, by the way - I'd been wondering about this myself) is that you would have to be a man in order to achieve the goal in question. It looks to me like it would be impossible for a woman to even come close to this, unless I'm misreading something. Interesting...
swimmers have much better chances because of the different strokes. there's really only one way to run. hurdling and running are entirely different disciplines.
I think the question of if anyone has already competed in more than one sport in one Olympics might depend slightly on how strictly you delineate between disciplines; Jackie Joyner-Kersee, as I recall, would compete in both the heptathlon and in some of the individual events that comprised the heptathlon like the long jump
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You're right. I used to be a swimmer and it is very hard to focus on more than one stroke. People who swim the Individual Medleys usually have at least one weak stroke. At least. Probably two.
Phelps is good at all of them. It used to be that breakstroke was his weakness, but he worked at it and tweaked his stroke until he can blow most people out of the water even with his "weak stroke".
That's the reason Phelps is one of the greatest Olympians to me. He may not have over come the most obstacles and he may have gotten lucky in competing in one of the few sports that allows this sort of thing, but he has also shown a level of determination and dedication to better himself that is awe inspiring.
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Seconded.
I still tear up at that moment in the Sydney Games when they cross the line, because that was something that none of us had really dared to believe would happen *again*.
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(see
here).
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Phelps is good at all of them. It used to be that breakstroke was his weakness, but he worked at it and tweaked his stroke until he can blow most people out of the water even with his "weak stroke".
That's the reason Phelps is one of the greatest Olympians to me. He may not have over come the most obstacles and he may have gotten lucky in competing in one of the few sports that allows this sort of thing, but he has also shown a level of determination and dedication to better himself that is awe inspiring.
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Until the zombies attack that is.
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