Don’t Rattle His Cage

Column by John Lohn

CRANBURY, New Jersey, August 3. IMAGINE for a moment that you've taken a trip to the zoo. As part of the visit, you're likely not going to agitate the animals in the Big Cat House. So, why did Michael Cavic think it was sensible to tug on the tail of Michael Phelps, the undisputed king of the swimming jungle?

Anyone who has followed the sport with any sort of consistency through the years should be aware of Phelps' insatiable hunger for motivation. We're talking about a guy who once had Ian Crocker's photo hanging on his wall. We're talking about a guy who, when doubted by Ian Thorpe, used the skepticism as fuel for his eight gold roll at the Beijing Olympics.

Following the preliminaries and semifinals of the 100 butterfly at the World Championships in Rome, Cavic filled a bulletin board for Phelps. Among the highlights:

**Cavic continued to claim he beat Phelps in the 100 fly in Beijing, going as far as to say he's seen photos that support his belief. More, he suggested that the published photos of the finish were part of some conspiracy, and only those showing Phelps with his hands on the wall first were released.

**The Southern California native, who represents Serbia in international competition, offered to buy Phelps a high-tech suit – either Arena or Jaked – to nullify any questions about the men wearing suits that were not equal.

**After winning the 50 fly, Cavic announced that he thought Phelps could be beat in the 100 distance of the event. Now, that type of comment is harmless, but you can bet Phelps used it as a way to stoke his fire.

When the men climbed the blocks for Saturday's 100 butterfly, the race was easily the hottest ticket in swimming since the Beijing Games. It unfolded as expected, Cavic building a sizable lead during the opening lap and Phelps using his amazing closing speed down the last 50 meters. At the finish, it was Phelps winning in a world-record time, 49.82, and Cavic forced into some comeuppance.

Phelps celebrated with more enthusiasm than usual, splashing the water a few times and lifting himself onto the lane rope. He tugged on his Speedo suit as if to say, "I got it done in this – an inferior piece of equipment compared to Cavic's choice of apparel." To Cavic's credit, he told Phelps he was the man. Then again, it's not like Phelps needed to hear it. The world knows that fact.

Had Cavic not uttered a single word about Phelps in the leadup to the final, maybe Mr. Olympia would still have won the race. But you have to question the thought process of Cavic spraying lighter fluid all over the matchup. In no way could it have helped, not against a guy who lives for a challenge. And if Cavic won the race, he still wasn't helping himself, especially with the comment about the photos of the Olympic final.

Phelps clearly cherished this victory and deserved to do so. But he also deserved something else: More respect from Cavic. When you're the greatest swimmer in the history of the sport, you've earned that right. That doesn't mean other athletes should bow down. They should go hard, for victories over Phelps are more meaningful. But to be called out? Well, that's a bit much.

There are times when it's better to bite the bottom lip, take a more tactful approach and not provide rivals with any ammunition. When that class was taught, Cavic clearly was absent. Did he bring some additional attention to the sport? Sure. But Phelps has attracted major attention to the pool through his actions, which have always done his talking. And that's the way it should be.

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