By Mel Monroe Stewart, Courtesy of WCSN.com
BAKERSFIELD, California, January 29. IAN Thorpe's mantra has always been that Michael Phelps won't break Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals at the same Olympics. Monday, according to Reuters, Thorpe was at it again.
From Beijing, surely on a fat-cat corporate tour to line his pockets, Thorpe told reporters Michael wouldn't make history in 2008 because "there's a thing called competition."
Advertisement
I've never been a big fan of Thorpe, a.k.a., "The Thorpedo." He lacks the edge I like to see in my swimming heroes. In his defense, he is witty and face-to-face. He's nice, but I always hated how he presented himself as an aquatic rock star, because at best he's rock star light.
Winning three gold medals at the 2000 Aussie Olympics, Thorpe boyishly waved to the hometown crowd, smiling. But at the 2004 Athens games, he bristled when the media cast Michael Phelps as their darling.
Thorpe was supposed to be eternally sweet, or at least that was the propaganda his P.R. handlers were pushing. I think he came off as catty, then surly and ultimately whiny. Lest we forget, Thorpe was under immense pressure to equal Mark Spitz's haul of seven gold medals in Athens, and his chances weren't far-fetched considering his six wins at the 2001 World Championships. Thorpe was "The Thorpedo" back then. No doubt. But three years later, at the 2004 Olympics, he lacked the edge I'm talking about.
Thorpe is, how should I put this, a cosmopolitan type of dude. He likes media, and money, and being a paid ambassador for Armani suits. That's all fine and well in the world of athletic endorsements, but to transcend Olympic history, you have to do the unthinkable. To be a true athletic rock star, you have to be "the balls." Thorpe wasn't in Athens. Thorpe hedged. He focused on his core swims instead of competing in seven events.
Bottom line: Thorpe didn't go for it. Michael Phelps did.
Watching Michael win six gold medals and two bronzes in Athens probably chapped Ian Thorpe where the sun don't shine. Thorpe had to know he was watching the greatest swimmer of all time. Of course, Thorpe was congratulatory in front of the cameras. But in the maelstrom of his mind, I assure you Michael Phelps had taken up residence.
The tipping point was the bold challenge Michael made in Athens in the 200 free. That was undeniably Ian Thorpe's best event, his baby. Michael lost to Thorpe in that race. But Michael was "the balls." He ran down the Aussie on the last 50, charging into the final wall. Had there been five more meters, Michael would have won. Ian Thorpe knew that, and he knew his career was done.
Ever since 2004, Ian Thorpe has been waffling about his swimming. Meanwhile, Michael turned in another fast 200 free at the 2005 World Championships in Canada.
"When I'm able to stand up against Thorpe [and Hoogenband] again, then it will be a better challenge," Phelps told a reporter from the Baltimore Sun. Then he added, "I'm sure if they're [Thorpe and Hoogenband] like me, they're watching all the results. They're great competitors, and hopefully I'll have my chance to race them."
That was the nail in Thorpe's coffin. The subtext of that quote wasn't lost on him: I am King Michael, the consummate gentlemen, but I am coming for you, Ian.
Michael's coach, Bob Bowman, even saw the writing on the wall. "Thorpe was the greatest middle-distance swimmer of all-time," he said graciously. I don't know for sure, but I think Bob was offering Thorpe an olive branch so he could expire with dignity.
For the record, Thorpe retired Nov. 22, 2006, sighting aquatic apathy. Yeah. Apathy for silver. I don't buy it for a second.
There are reports that Michael and Ian Thorpe are friends. I've asked around and most people confirm that. I believe it. Michael would never allow friction between him and any swimmer.
That's probably the scariest characteristic of Michael. In many ways, you could describe his career as absolute control. For competitors, that must be frightening. Michael's almost like a programmed computer around the pool. He swims his swims and recovers so rapidly, he's like an indifferent hitman; his wins are eerily cool and mean.
I know. I'm gushing, and I know what you're thinking: Michael's a U.S. citizen, so I'm partial. And to be perfectly honest, I have to admit I have a man-crush on Michael.
He's the true rock star. Ian Thorpe is not.
And if you doubt Michael's chances of beating Mark Spitz's record in Beijing, you're not only blind, you're ignorant about the present state of competitive swimming.
Premium Members - Search More About: Gold Medal Mel
Reaction Time Comments
January 29, 2008 For a guy who has himself been the rock star in his own particular event, one now in Michael's domain, your comments and acknowledgement of his Michael's status are both cool and credible. It is more than a little ironic that the 200 Free, which was once Ian's personal plaything, is now one of Michael's safer events, even more than the IMs, which were once among Michael's safest. The fact the competition landscape is so constantly changing is one of the things that makes Michael's continuing motivation to rise to each challenge even more remarkable. Submitted by: dunc1952
January 29, 2008 This will be interesting..... ;o) Submitted by: paddles
January 29, 2008 Itīs funny how everytime an article about Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps is written, the writter reduces one to benefit the other. Iīm a swimming follower since Sydney Olympics in 2000, when I believe the MEDIA presented Ian Thorpe as "an aquatic rock star". At first I didnīt get the fuss around the "a.k.a Thorpedo". But a few competitions later, things got a bit clearer. I think Ian did deal with the label very well.
Other thing that got my attention about Thorpe is that despite the big pressure he was under throughout his career, he doesnīt always do what people expect him to do. If he "was supposed to be eternally sweet, or at least that was the propaganda his P.R. handlers were pushing, thatīs good he came off as catty, then surly and ultimately whiny." Heīs genuine with his own interests. Retire at the mere age of 24? Silver terror, apathy, Phelps, illness? No one seem to know the real reason, but he just went and called it quits when everybody was saying it was soon.
Iīve always read Thorpe saying that he wanted to be the best he could be. And I guess he did that. No memories of him saying he wanted to beat someone or he wanted to break someoneīs record or unconsciously take someoneīs place... but this is an encouragement and itīs a good one and it seems to be working great. Phelps is an extraordinary swimmer and I hope he achieve all the glory he wants. But I hope he do this first for his own satisfaction and the good of the sport not just to satisfy the greedy media in the search of a "new invincible swimmer".
Iīm not an US or Australia citizen, but rock star to rock star, I stay with the australian way to rock. Submitted by: Tizah
January 30, 2008 I don't understand why you feel the need to diminish one to uplift the other. They are both great athletes and Phelps doesn't need the boost. He's a big boy now. Submitted by: MIchelle
January 30, 2008 While Michael Phelps has certainly carved out his place in Olympic history, he hasn't transcended his sport the way Ian Thorpe did. Thorpe is a superstar all over the world. Phelps is still the second best-known swimmer in his own country after Mark Spitz -- a swimmer who retired over 30 years ago.
Also, your not so subtle swipe at Thorpe being "cosmopolitan"? Real classy. It still doesn't change the fact that Thorpe was a great champion. Michael is too. And it's a shame that you refuse to give them BOTH their proper due, because the legacy of one, only enhances the legacy of the other. And this trashing of one in favor of the other only degrades them both.
Michael's world record in the 200 free is only great because the man who set it before him was probably the greatest ever at the distance. It was significant not because he broke the record, but because he broke Thorpe's record.
It's sad for swimming that Ian Thorpe burned out at only 24. And it's the sport's great loss that we never saw them go against each other in their primes and that we won't get to see them go against each other in Beijing.
It's a shame your article failed to recognize that. Submitted by: rjnick
January 30, 2008 They are both great swimmers, but Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps are totally different men, with different ways of handling their swimming careers. Thorpe has always cultivated interests outside of swimming in a way that Phelps hasn't: each is doing what suits him best.
Now Thorpe has decided to move on to other things. Surely it's better to make this decision while at the top of his career, than to watch him deteriorate with time, and finally limp out to a barrage of vindictive "Over The Hill" articles? Like many others I am sad that we will not see a head to head in Beijing, but I don't believe fear of Phelps played a factor in that. If the author reads Thorpe's biography, he might gain some understanding of him.
Ultimately, Phelps is the most versatile swimmer we have seen, but Thorpe was undeniably the most dominant swimmer in his chosen events. Submitted by: Sharkbait
January 30, 2008 LOL you crack me up Mel! Good story; I agree to an extent, though I think you exaggerated just a bit. I think Thorpe is psychologically a little more complicated than that, slightly closer to Phelps in accomplishment, and definitely not as much of a wuss as you make him out to be.
I don't think he ever had a real shot at 7 golds and he knew it while Phelps clearly did and almost pulled it off. Phelps is obviously more dominant overall, as well as more versatile, though Thorpe clearly had more range in the freestyle. And when he was close to his peak in '01 at Fukuoka, he had the balls to take on and trounce Hackett in the 800 while not shying away from Hoogie/Ervin in the 100. He appeared to peak overall in 02, and then in 03, once again he took on the big names in the 100 at Barcelona. While he had already retired from the 800 before Barcelona, he also wasn't afraid to take on Phelps in what was almost surely going to be a defeat in the 200 IM.
In addition to having Phelps in his head in Athens, he was clearly a couple years past his prime by that point, yet he still held on to pip Hoogie, Phelps, and Hackett and come up with a couple golds; and medal in the 100 as well. To me, he swam pretty gutsy in Athens, considering he was already pretty burned out by then.
While Phelps is likely part of the puzzle, I think the reasons Thorpe fizzled out earlier than he and we all wanted are still not completely clear, maybe not even to Thorpe himself. But he seems like a classy guy of good character. I would dare say with your progressive Phelps man-crush and your witty and erudite writing, Mel, that you'd fit in just fine in Thorpie's cosmopolitan world. Submitted by: liquidassets
January 30, 2008 Oh I also wanted to ask Mel; I know it's not quite the same, but would he make a similar comparison between Coughlin and say, Manadou or Hoff on the womens side? Does Coughlin just know her limits or does he think she's not balls to the wall?? Everyone grumbled when she didn't swim more events in 04 but like Thorpe she did what she wanted, and in her case, she came away thrilled and hasn't burned out at all, on the contrary actually. She has the potential to do even better this time around. Submitted by: liquidassets
January 31, 2008 Mr. Stuart:
As an Olympian and gold medalist I expect more from you than this ugly and juvenile article. And shame on Swimming World's editor's for allowing it. It's one thing to be provocative. its another thing to get nasty. And why?
All gold medalists cash in. If Thorpe is sponsored to show up in Beijing so what? Wherever he goes is good for the sport. He is a legend. Period. He swam great for years and won golds in two Olympics. Ask an Aussie what that means over there. Thorpe has always been a good overal ambassador and roll model. All in all he has handled the fame and pressure brilliantly during his career and after.
Why abuse him? If you have a real problem with his personal conduct, ethics or lifestyle take it up privately with him.
I don' think Phelps needs your kind of help or support. His style, talent, spirit and accomplishments speak volumes.
Our sport has lots of greats and legends, Another reason its such a great and compelling sport.
Apparently somebody asked your opinion so you gave it. Or maybe nobody asked and you decided to give one anyway. Well, somebody asked Thorpe his opinion and he gave it. Why assume he said what he said to demean Michael Phelps. If you ask me Michael Phelps can do anything and I would put money on him every time, including winning maybe 7 gold medals. But Thorpe has a point. There will be competition. Tougher competition. Especially in the 100 fly, 200 back and 200 IM. And due to FINA rules, multi event swimmers will be swimming on fumes half the time - against specialists. Thorpe also understands that there is illness, a bad day, a relay DQ. In this day and age 7 golds is not in the bag, even for a swimming hercules like Phelps.
But the bottom line in all this is out of three olympic gold medalists - only you have failed to behave like one.
You should watch them and learn. Submitted by: swimmcatt1
January 31, 2008 The Thorpe column caused heat. I hoped it would. Thorpe's been critical of Michael too many times in my opinion. The first time, in '04 when Michael was 19, was understandable. I accepted it back then. However, Michael's 6 gold medals made me feel foolish for doubting him. Now that Michael's 23 and has a real shot at breaking Spitz's record, I think Thorpe is beyond foolish to doubt him. As great an Olympian as Thorpe is, he doesn't compare to Michael as a competitor... I used the word
"cosmopolitan" to describe Thorpe and his "monetary endeavors" beyond the pool. It has been brought to my attention that those with a limited vocabulary might misconstrue its usage, even think I'm referring to his sexual orientation. That couldn't be further from the truth. Cosmopolitan means worldly, and in many ways, cool. After '04 Thorpe lived in NYC and LA, and besides pitching Armani, he appeared on an episode of NBC's "Friends." Unlike Michael, Thorpe took his eye off the ball. Thorpe obviously enjoys life, and there's nothing wrong with that. But he doesn't compare to Michael as a competitor. '08 will prove that.
Mel Stewart Submitted by: Gold
January 31, 2008 Mr Stewart,
The comments Thorpe made about Phelps were not critical: he was asked a question and he answered it. If you want to read some unfairly critical comments, you should read Keiren Perkins' comments towards Thorpe over the last few years: he took every opportunity to criticise Thorpe, even when he was sick and injured.
Thorpe has always looked outside of swimming to achieve balance in his life, from his earliest days as an elite athlete. He'd just won gold medals at Sydney, set WR times, and still felt jaded enough to need time out of swimming completely. That shows that swimming has never been his whole life in the way it is for Phelps.
As I said before, they are just two different guys, driven by different ideas. Phelps wants to win gold (fair enough), Thorpe just wanted to beat his PB (fine). Nothing wrong with either of those motivations. I hope Phelps achieves all that he wants to in Beijing, but considering how easy it was for him to break his hand recently, not everything is guaranteed. Thorpe seems to realise that, and you don't. Submitted by: Sharkbait
February 2, 2008 Dear Mel,
To say that a man who won numerous gold medals over two Olympics lacks any sort of edge is beyond absurd. Then, by such logic, your one individual gold medal would make you some sort of edgeless wuss.
And, in terms of responsible, clear journalism, if you had no second meaning for the word "cosmopolitan" in mind, you shouldn't have used quotation marks. If this wasn't deliberately misleading or tasteless, then it is soft writing. Please don't accuse your readers of having a limited vocabulary, when it is your error.
I am surprised by this piece. This ad hominem, psuedo-psychology profile doesn't even qualify for a hack op-ed piece. Submitted by: ldblomgren
Reaction Time responses do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Swimming World Magazine or SwimmingWorldMagazine.com.
Reaction Time is provided as a service to our readers.
|
.jpg)
Photo By: Mel Stewart
Subscribe Now!
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
