It's kinda unfair that Michael Phelps is considered like a god, because there is no other sport that you can win 8+ medals an Olympics, he is an unbelievable/the best swimmer ever, but there is no other sport that you can win that many medals to potentially get more medals than him, amirite?
Yeah, in theory, couldn't you also do 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000 and 10,000, and then also the relays? I'm not saying there's anyone that can or would, but you could in theory. And yes, i think gymnastics might be the only other realistic option - all round individual, all round team, and then as many of the inidividual apparatus as you can!
Well, sort of. A sprinter develops different muscles than a long distance runner. They also learn to converse their energy differently and breathe differently. It's hard to imagine someone being gold-medal material in both types of events. I doubt someone with the leaner long-distance muscles would excel in sprinting. Both are great athletes, but they are different.
Doesn't make it impossible though, that's the point. Swimmers also usually specialize in one stroke - so it's even more amazing that Phelps is so good at more than one.
Just the fact that he's versatile enough to be dominant at all those different events over and over makes him a god. He's probably one of the most consistent Olympians too, so he's the greatest whether he has the most medals or not.
Yes, plus "greatest olympian" remains a rather subjective thing anyway. I mean, how do you really measure it? Steve Redgrave is the only one who's won gold in 5 consecutive olympics. Does that make HIM the greatest? Is pure number of golds the real defining factor? How about people who have NEVER used doping? I mean, there are dozens of possible criteria to use. I agree that Phelps deserves his place in the hall of fame, but I'm wary of using terms like single greatest olympian of all time.
sure you could try that, but the same problems exist. Do you measure it on pure number of golds? number of olympics? number of records? their sportsmanship? It's hard to be truly objective about it
You did notice that I disagreed with the OP right? that I think it is perfectly fair to think of Phelps as a "god"? But the objective title of "greatest olympian of all time" is a bit of a fallacy. I don't think there should be this title. As it was suggested before, more specific titles are fitting. This general title has too many criteria
Teddy Rinner (judo gold) has won 5 world judo competions 3 Europe ones and an olympi gold. They aren't all Olympic medals but they're just as important, if not more within that sport
I think someone could be a multi track star or gymnast...
The lady who's record he beat for the most gold Olympic medals was a gymnast.
Anyone who wins in sprinting is not going to specialize in long distance. So that's not even an option.
Yeah, in theory, couldn't you also do 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 5000 and 10,000, and then also the relays? I'm not saying there's anyone that can or would, but you could in theory. And yes, i think gymnastics might be the only other realistic option - all round individual, all round team, and then as many of the inidividual apparatus as you can!
Well, sort of. A sprinter develops different muscles than a long distance runner. They also learn to converse their energy differently and breathe differently. It's hard to imagine someone being gold-medal material in both types of events. I doubt someone with the leaner long-distance muscles would excel in sprinting. Both are great athletes, but they are different.
this is why i added "in theory" - there's no REAL reason why it couldn't happen. No truly scientific reason I mean.
Doesn't make it impossible though, that's the point. Swimmers also usually specialize in one stroke - so it's even more amazing that Phelps is so good at more than one.
Just the fact that he's versatile enough to be dominant at all those different events over and over makes him a god. He's probably one of the most consistent Olympians too, so he's the greatest whether he has the most medals or not.
Yes, plus "greatest olympian" remains a rather subjective thing anyway. I mean, how do you really measure it? Steve Redgrave is the only one who's won gold in 5 consecutive olympics. Does that make HIM the greatest? Is pure number of golds the real defining factor? How about people who have NEVER used doping? I mean, there are dozens of possible criteria to use. I agree that Phelps deserves his place in the hall of fame, but I'm wary of using terms like single greatest olympian of all time.
so use the term single greatest olympian swimmer of all time
If you have multiple golds and world records, there's not really a problem with identifying someone as the best or most skilled.
sure you could try that, but the same problems exist. Do you measure it on pure number of golds? number of olympics? number of records? their sportsmanship? It's hard to be truly objective about it
But we're not identifying them as "the best", the title in question is "Greatest Olympian"
I really don't see what's so wrong with letting him be the greatest Olympian. He's awesome just let him have it.
You did notice that I disagreed with the OP right? that I think it is perfectly fair to think of Phelps as a "god"? But the objective title of "greatest olympian of all time" is a bit of a fallacy. I don't think there should be this title. As it was suggested before, more specific titles are fitting. This general title has too many criteria
Why do you keep arguing
Oh, i see, you just like it when people shut up and agree with you? Well, I don't agree with you, and I'm telling you thus.
Okay you're telling me thus that's great, but this isn't a debate tournament. This is kind of a waste of time.
No one asked you to start one.
For the record, it totally does
Not really.
Of the previous Top 10 Men, and Top 10 Women for the most medals, none of the olympians have been swimmers.
http://www.olympic.org/Document...nter_Games.pdf
I learned to swim at the same place michael phelps trained. Just a fun fact
Teddy Rinner (judo gold) has won 5 world judo competions 3 Europe ones and an olympi gold. They aren't all Olympic medals but they're just as important, if not more within that sport