The poster above my daughter's bed. No, not the puppy. The other one.
"And the journey begins today....Last workout in Bmore today....Time for some meets and fine tuning in Co in lead up for trials!"-tweet from Michael Phelps yesterday.
Okay, swim fans, it just got real.
We've known Michael's most likely retiring after London. He's been consistent since Beijing that London would be his last Olympics. There was about a minute and a half when Chicago was in the running to win the bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics where we thought, "he might stick it out for an Olympics on American soil." Phelps said on 60 Minutes last week he will go to Rio for 2016. To watch. It's been inevitable, every athlete retires, but this isn't just any athlete. What happens when the iconic face of your sport is no longer available?
I've been to meets with Michael Phelps in attendance and I've been to meets with Michael Phelps not in attendance and while I'm not a statistician I can tell you there's a difference in the number of people in the stands, a big difference. I think Coach Bowman said it eloquently in 2009 at Worlds when he said, "Michael puts the butts in seats." The moment we've all been dreading has arrived. The last Worlds, the last time in Indy, the last time in Charlotte, the last Grand Prix, the last Olympics. It's been a year of "lasts." So, now what?
Usually, the conversation turns to Lochte. "He's a rock star." With his outgoing personality, questionable fashion accessories and Ralph Lauren model good looks he seems a natural heir. If he wins gold medals in London, especially if he wins multiple individual medals, his profile will elevate considerably outside of the swim world where he's still remains a relative unknown. The question for Lochte is will he continue to 2016 as he's said he will? He'll be 32. Will his body hold up to the abusive training he endures? Or will he be like me after a beginners spin class slowly regaining consciousness while other participants look on in Lululemon outfits and expressions of concern? (sorry, off topic.) Will he move to LA and become a fashion designer? Only Ryan and his inner circle know for sure.
So what are we losing? A bullied kid from Baltimore with big ears, ADHD and a slight lisp, becomes the greatest swimmer of all time and one of the best athletes in any sport, ever. For those of us who have been lucky enough to see him swim in person, you don't forget it. You don't hear it on TV but in person the "Phelps Phlap" he does on the blocks makes a swooshing sound that reverberates through the whole pool. My father used to talk about being a young boy and seeing Joe Dimaggio play baseball; he could recall the sights, sounds and smells more than 50 years later. I wonder if my kids will feel the same way about Phelps, I think they might. I know I will.
So swim fans, group hug. Let's enjoy the next few months, no matter what happens. We're about to see an amazing showdown in London and it's always fun when the rest of the world pays attention to swimming even if it's only for a brief couple of weeks. Thanks, Michael, for elevating the sport and making history. Enjoy your retirement. Take a cruise. Play golf. Stop by the office and see us sometime, say hello.
its funny this week we have been talking a lot about the Trials & the Olympics in my office.. or should I say I have been talking about it and everyone has been asking questions. The first thing they say is Oh Michael Phelps right, isn’t he retiring, is your favorite.. what are you going to do? This gives me a unique opportunity to tell then about some of the other swimmers notably Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens, Rebecca Soni, Tyler Clary, and Brendan Hanson.. I think I have gotten the office excited to watch Trials and then the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteIts so sad but at the same time I AM SOOO EXCITED
Thumbs down to Rebecca Soni! - Just read the American Arbitration Report regarding Tara Kirk and US Swimming.
Delete"Though not technically a party, Rebecca Soni is an interested person and was granted the right to interpose her objections to the injunctive relief sought by Kirk at this expedited hearing".
Wow, seems like Soni helped her friends Weiglus and Schubert keep Tara Kirk off of the 2008 Olympic Team - shame, shame, shame!!!
Old news to some, but new news to me.
Once a Trojan always a Trojan - USC alumni stick together like glue!
DeleteSchubert coached for USC - Soni swam for USC - figure it out people.
The testing was done at UCLA (20 minute drive from USC).
It's a small, small, world!
"...was granted the right..."
DeleteDid she? Was the right granted after her (Soni's) request?
I agree, Reezy Nation. There are many talented, incredible swimmers currently swimming and they all deserve attention and recognition. There's some age grouper right now paddling away furiously who is going to blow our minds in a few years, we don't even know their name.
ReplyDeleteA link to the Arbitrator's decision in on the SCAQ blog. According to the decision, an attorney was hired to represent Soni's interest.
ReplyDeleteSoni was young and maybe would do things differently today.
DeleteThe weard part of the decision is that the law firm of Holme, Roberts & Owen was representing Tara Kirk. This law firm has been the outside legal council for USA Swimming for years and was representing Schubert/USA Swimming at the same time in the TYR suit.
I would think this would be a total conflict of interest. I think it would be impossible to fight against USA Swimming in one case while representing them in another case - but that's just my belief.
Wielgus letter to staff dated August 6, 2008 states, "We were represented at the hearing by Rich Young and Steve Smith of HRO". I assume HRO being Holme Roberts & Owen.
DeleteThe written decision shows that USA Swimming was represented byMichael Dockterman and E.T. Walker of Wildman, Harrold, Allen & Dixon, LLP
Seems like this entire incident was one huge mess. It's pretty bad when there's confusion over who's representing who!
I didn't realize I wrote a blog about Rebecca Soni's legal woes.
ReplyDeleteWell - one comment leads to another. Some of us are tired of being cheerleaders for the sport and want accountability by USA Swimming for the injustices they bestow upon the athletes.
DeleteTara Kirk probably had a poster on her wall, I know my kid did as well. There was no warm, fuzzy feelings at the meet we attended where Michael Phelps swam, it was quite the opposite.
The show will go on, but has USA Swimming learned anything from 2008, do they have measures in place to assure it won't happen again? Do they really even care?
Those posters on the walls of the kids bedrooms should signify that dreams can come true with hard work, honesty and integrity.
The problem can be solved by adding a disclaimer to the posters:
Delete*Although you may have earned a spot on the Olympic Team due to your sacrifices, commitment, hard work, honesty and integrity, USA Swimming does not have to grant you the right to swim. Other factors may be used to select the athlete including Chemistry."
This way the kids could learn at an early age that life is nothing but a crap shoot.
Hmm. Sounds like someone should write his own blog regarding his opinions of Soni and her legal interests, rather than hijack your bandwidth as "Anonymous."
ReplyDeleteI'm really intrigued to see where the sport is publicly in two years. There will be the post-Olympic drought and shakeout as everyone breathes and rests, and some others besides Phelps decide to hang up their goggles. Will those remaining, and those coming up through the ranks, keep the energy growing like it has been? How will swimming look on the overall sports landscape when our children hit serious competition age?
RAH RAH go Phelps - go team USA - maybe you should listen to Wielgus and get rid of the anon comments - if you want to control the comments!
DeleteIf (you think) what you have to say is really important, and you have evidence for it instead of innuendos, then by all means, write about it and put your name to it. SB has always been pretty open about inviting guest posts, or surely there is somewhere on the big wide Internet you could hire some space to make your voice heard. Otherwise you just come off as a putz trying to shoehorn it in here.
DeleteRobin - you sound like a putz!
DeleteHopefully, when your children hit serious competition age, the sport will be a better place for all (athletes, coaches, etc).
Hmmm - you have a crystal ball and can see into the future - guess what you have to say is REALLY important.
Oh, ohhhh, my mighty heart is breaking. Have a nice day, Batman/Anonymous!
DeleteHey, Anon. Don't condescend my blog post. You have something to say that's fine but to hijack a post for your own agenda and then make fun of the original content is rude. Perhaps you would like to write a guest blog? Or is it easier to post anonymously out of context? You seem to have something to say, why don't you say it instead of demeaning other people.
ReplyDeleteMy mistake - thought Robin wrote post since she was lecturing anon.
DeleteNot making fun of original post or content. Agree that people love Phelps and he earned it - wish him the best - do not speculate on future plans - to each their own.