Phelps sets new Gold Standard
A Warholian take on Phelps’ accomplishment
On the one hand, Michael Phelps and his U.S. teammates were dominant, setting world records in 7 of the 8 events where the 23-year old struck gold. Even with that kind of dominance they often won by the slimmest of margins - fractions of a fraction of a second - that in some cases left the outcome in doubt even after the race had been completed. This wasn’t a coronation, or the equivalent of Usain Bolt just laying waste to the entire field in the 100 meter final in track and field. It was Phelps and his teammates going up against the best competition in the world and being fiercly contested, pushed all the way to the wall. What a way to pull off the most dominant performance in Olympic history.
The Baltimore native was the key cog as should be the case when someone lays claim to the title of the greatest racer who ever walked the planet [Mark Spitz’s choice of words]. He relied on help from his teammates in relay races for three of his eight gold medals. Jason Lezak played a huge role in the 4×100 free relay win where Phelps won his second gold of the Beijing games, edging out the French for first place. The two would play a pivotal role in the 4×100 medley final last night as Phelps moved the team from third place to first place by nearly a full body length, just enough cushion for Lezak to hold off Eamon Sullivan, Australia’a anchor who was once the world record holder in the freestyle.
Bolt does his best Deion Sanders impersonation
Photo: Matt Dunham - Associated Press
This has been an Olympic games that has captured the imagination, from Phelps’ historic feat to Bolt being the first man to breach 9.7 in the 100 meters, to the U.S. men’s basketball team showing the type of dominance we last saw when the Dream Team routed the world on their way to Olympic gold. I’m always a little leary about track and field, particularly with the issues they’ve had with performance enhancing drugs. The sport almost makes major league baseball, the Tour de France and professional wrestling look pristine by comparison. With that being said Bolt’s performance was just jaw-dropping. The way he hit that extra gear and just pulled away from everyone was unfathomable. Add in the fact he coasted to the finish line and everyone is wondering exactly how much time he’ll ultimately shave off that new world record. jason lezak michael phelps Other Sports usain bolt
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