What to make of Michael Phelps' struggles in Europe
If you follow swimming much in a non-Olympic year -- which, understandably, you probably don't -- then you've likely heard something about what a miserable time Michael Phelps has had in Sweden and Germany the past two weeks. But in case you don't follow it at all -- which, again, is most of you -- here is a quick recap: Michael Phelps hasn't looked anything like Michael Phelps used to look. He's failed to qualify for the finals in several events, and been trounced by swimmers that most of the world couldn't ID even if their names were tattooed across their broad shoulders.
Minor alarms have been sounding, and you can pick up the gist of what's being said just by reading some of the headlines. "Phelps Fails Again." "World records tumble around hapless Phelps." "Phelps a Flop in Berlin" And my personal favorite: "Phelps Looks Like an Imposter."
Phelps does look a little like an imposter, although it has less do with times and more to do with physical appearance. He's clearly not in shape -- and pointed this out repeatedly before competing -- and wasn't even motivated enough to shave a massive beard, or the rest of his body, including his arm pits, prior to the races. It's also short-course events, where the pool is just 25 meters long as opposed to 50 meters. It's not exactly like comparing miniature golf to Augusta National, but no one takes short course events as seriously as events contested in an Olympic-length pool.
On top of all that, what is most important yet also the most difficult thing for the layman to grasp, Phelps is the only swimmer with enough guts to show up in Europe wearing a swimsuit that will still be legal come January. After seeing a slew of world records get erased in less than a year thanks to new suit technologies, FINA finally declared this summer that, come 2010, swimsuits made out of anything other than textiles would be illegal. Men can't wear suits that go below the knee or above the belly button. Since the rule doesn't take effect until January, most swimmers are still wearing their soon-to-be outlawed suits. Phelps, instead, has decided to make a statement, and is essentially wearing a suit from 2004, the Speedo Fastskin FS-PRO. It would be like Roger Federer entering Wimbledon with a wooden racket.
So those who wonder if Phelps has lost his magic or his motivation seem to be making much ado about nothing.
My friend Karen Crouse of The New York Times put it best, I think.
"Michael Phelps' presence on a United States team competing this week at a World Cup meet in Stockholm is akin to Meryl Streep's gracing a traveling production of “Mamma Mia"
Comments
Phelps is too busy partying and living the high life to bother training like the "ordinary" athletes. Unless he gets his act together the endorsement deals will be gone along with the money they bring in. No more fancy waterfront condo, tricked out cars, Las Vegas
"models".... all will be gone and he will end up flipping burgers at the mall.
Posted by: MDP | November 18, 2009 6:47 AM
Phelps seems destined to struggle. His Olympic feats can never be discounted but the clouds that seem to follow him will probably never part. Much is immaturity. There's a thousand stories akin to his in the sporting world perhaps just not as prominent.
Posted by: ruth | November 18, 2009 7:30 AM
Phelps' coach suggested he wear the old suit and even he is not worried about his times. It is all mapped out as far as training regimen and his times. This is an off year.
Since when is anyone of you who posted here qualified to judge Phelps? Thought so.
Posted by: JD | November 18, 2009 10:18 AM
Michael will take care of business when he needs to as he always has.
Posted by: denise | November 18, 2009 11:36 AM
Michael will be fine...he is entitled to and deserves a semi-normal life right now. Michael's a winner because he knows what he's gotta do and he does it.
Posted by: Julie Osecki | November 18, 2009 2:37 PM
Maybe it's a good thing that his performance wasn't super-human, as usual. How can anyone continue to live up to the pressures of such high expectations.
Posted by: QK | November 18, 2009 2:48 PM
Come on folks (in the press) let's just face facts. He's a LOSER! He will only continue to do so. There are unlimited numbers of really talented swimmers out there. Please focus on the new talent not this overinflated has been!
Posted by: swimmergirl | November 18, 2009 3:51 PM
The guy is racing in shorts against opponenets in full suits, first meet back after winning five gold in Rome, and last year 8 gold in Beijing, and you dare to write him off!!
swimmergirl - has been?? He swam a pb in Berlin in the 100.
Come next year when it counts, there'll be one name still there - Michael Phelps. Greatest swimmer of all time - we are fortunate to watch him in our life time.
Posted by: miles rose | November 19, 2009 4:18 AM
The concept of grace seems an important theme by which to view US swimming hero Michael Phelps and coach Bob Bowman's participation in two of the six 2009 European World Cup short-course swimmining competitions. The shorter 25m pool, the muscle burden and build-up, the consecutive weekend schedule (scheduled closely together in 2 months with only Sats and Suns to swim all events, prelims and finals), and the hi-tech suits were conditions not optimal to American dominance in long-course swimming competition. Thanks (and congratulations) to Michael and Bob for their scouting, their humiliations, and their efforts to learn about another future for American swimming youth. csa Denver CO USA
11/19/09 Thursday 7:15am mst
Posted by: CS Ahrens | November 19, 2009 9:14 AM