RSSMichael Phelps is Human After All (BONG) … Phelps Loses 100 m Backstroke to Aaron Peirsol
BONG, BONG, BONG … A life learning lesson for the unbeatable Michael Phelps.
The unbeatable Michael Phelps is beatable after all.
US swimmer Aaron Peirsol, the world record holder and two time Olympic champion handed swimming sensation and Olympic medal phenom Phelps his first defeat in nearly a year, winning the 100-meter backstroke at the Charlotte UltraSwim.
Wearing his new Arena suit, Peirsol got off to a strong start and touched in 53.32 seconds. Phelps was trailing by more than a half-second at the turn and had no chance to make that up against one of the greatest backstrokers, taking second in 53.79.
It would appear that Phelp’s off-season breathing exercises of bong hits is not conducive to swimming after all. This is actually the best thing that could happen to Michael Phelps. Learning that by slacking off and not training in a manner that he has always done in the past to make himself the best, he will not be the best.
It’s time for Michael Phelps to be responsible. You are allowed to mess up and make a comeback. America loves a riches to rags to riches story. However, Michael Phelps has to make the decision whether he wants to be America’s greatest Olympic hero for all time and set the standard for swimming that no one can beat, or does he want to be another Bode Miller.
UPDATE I: Michael Phelps Loses Again
Phelps was beaten again at the Charlotte UltraSwim, losing to French star Frederick Bousquet in the 100-meter freestyle Sunday night.
If you liked this post, you may also like these:
Comments
12 Responses to “Michael Phelps is Human After All (BONG) … Phelps Loses 100 m Backstroke to Aaron Peirsol”
Leave a Reply
It might just be the wake up call he needs. He made a mistake but I still think he’s an outstanding athlete and hope that he will keep his head on straight and continue on the path of success.
I am a big Phelps fan. I hope he screws his head back on straight. He has a great opportunity and has so much talent … i hope he realizes that his moment in time is fleeting.
R
those bong hits had nothing to do with this
in swimming there is a very strong competition
I beg to differ Dolf.
They have everything to do with it. This is what happens when one does not train properly and they think they can just get by.
Phelps was a swimming machine, because he was a training machine. The success went to his head and he messed up.
Because this is his first time back in the pool after a “bong” layoff. Oh, sorry, long layoff … these were the results.
There was always competetion.
Michael needs to put his head on straight and take this seriously. If not, he will be average.
R
This is unbelievable. There is no proof that Phelps is still on the bong. He was suspended for 3 months and most definitely drug tested. This is akin to Tiger Woods not playing golf for 8 months!
Do you honestly think Phelps cares about winning swim meets in Charlotte? Do you think Tiger really cares about winning the Valerio Open or some other golf tournament that is NOT a major? These supreme athletes goals are to win the biggest of the biggest events such as the Olympics, World Championships, Masters, US Opens, British Opens etc….Tiger Woods has said that during these smaller tournaments he works on swings that he will need at major championships.
Do you think Nadal cares about winning some tennis tournament in South Africa or do you think he really cares about winning the French, Wimbledon, etc?
Your argument does not make sense because we can assume Phelps was smoking weed while winning all these gold medals YET now it is affecting his performance? This was his FIRST competition since Beijing. Do you honestly think that was his first time smoking weed?
Let’s see…he was busted for DUI after winning multiple golds in 2004 at age 19 (no doubt he was smoking back then); then four years later he WINS 8 GOLD MEDALS! He does NOT give a s*it about winning competitions in Charlotte. He uses these to get himself ready for WHAT REALLY MATTERS: GOLD MEDALS in the Olympics!
You are way off base.
Average? He will NEVER be average. The only thing that will make him average is AGE just like all the other greatest athletes, i.e. Michael Jordan, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Brett Favre, Joe Montana….I could go on…. NOBODY CAN NEVER TAKE AWAY THE FACT THAT HE IS THE DECORATED OLYMPIC ATHLETE EVER!
Oh here’s another example…the sprinter Bolt; admitted weed smoker; greatest sprinter EVER!
Reaching….
Here’s another clue for you…he is going to try different swim competitions in the next Olympics…Phelps said so himself. In losing to Perisol; he lost to one of the greatest backstroke swimmers in US history!
Point is…Phelps made a mistake; not the weed because we know he can overcome that and still be the greatest swimmer in the world; his mistake was being caught and his unwavering trust in people. This is America where people are forgiving and give people a chance. He is still just 24 years old; AND his goal is 2012 in London; not some competition that he is using as a training aide for larger goals down the road.
I usually agree with 95% of what is put on this site; but this time I digress…
I agree with Dolf.
I think you guys are missing the point. There is a slight joke in here and the point of view from someone who did play college sports.
#1, blaming in on the bong hits is kind of a goof.
#2. The fact that Phelps took time off, did commercials, drank, did TV, and yes, did bong hits all contribute to his efforts over the weekend.
The competition was always strong. The fact of the matter was that Phelps was stronger, better, and a workout machine.
This is what makes one the best. There a a lot of great swimmers. To be head & shoulder over all, takes dedication.
I am sure that Phelps will be ready for the Nationals and Olympics.
The point is, that anything that diverts from training affects one’s perforance.
R
#7 needs to learn something about swimming before they have an opinion on it.
And just for the record, Phelps won two races and took second place in the other two sprint races, which he doesn’t normally swim. Kinda shows how great he really is.
The fact is…is that Phelps took time off after the Olympics in 2004. Tiger Woods took time off for knee surgery.
You act as if Phelps has not been training at all; which is not the case. Is this guy not to have a life at all? The guy trained for nearly over 3 years straight before the 2008 Olympics and yet you rip him for taking time off after winning 8 GOLD MEDALS? It’s unequivocally unfair!
The fact of the matter is Phelps IS STRONGER, BETTER and WORKS OUT MORE AND HARDER THAN ANYONE IN THE WORLD…PROOF OF THAT IS HIS 8 GOLD MEDALS; 14 OVERALL!
He is also working on new swim techniques that is supposed to help him move through the water faster and he was working on these techniques at this meet. It’s just like Tiger re-inventing his golf swing. Remember after the year Tiger had in 2000? Then he changed his swing and it took him a while to groove it and then all of sudden it was 2000 all over again from 2002 until he won the US OPEN on one leg.
Give the dude a break. Phelps deserves it more than most.
And BTW, being a former college athlete does not make you an expert in sports and sports conditioning. These guys like Phelps, Woods, Jordan, Lebron, etc are EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETES; THE BEST OF THE BEST and they know what it takes to get to that level that the VAST MAJORITY of us will never attain.
Nothing he did in the past year had nothing to do with his performance over the weekend.
BTW, does Tiger win EVERY tournament? Did Jordan win every playoff game? Does Jimmy Johnson win every race? Does Tom Brady win every football game?
The fact you seem to miss is that Phelps has set the bar SO HIGH (can’t get any better than 8 gold medals in one Olympics; CALLED PERFECTION) that no matter what he does from here on out will be criticized and under the microscope.
GASP! He ONLY won two races and finished 2nd twice. LOL! Come on. Like I said, no matter what he does now can never be good enough compared to what he did in Beijing and that’s the media’s fault.
And BTW, comparing Phelps to Bode Miller is an insult to Phelps and his accomplishments! It’s like comparing apples and oranges. It’s like comparing FNC and MSNBC; the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Detroit Lions….
“And BTW, comparing Phelps to Bode Miller is an insult to Phelps and his accomplishments!”
Yep.
christ almighty
let the guy take some time off after his star performace
(1 more Olympics for Phelps, wonder who is going to be king after him)