Phelps!

[MilDoc]

Anyone else see Phelps win last night by 0.01 second???

If his arms were 1" shorter he would have Silver, not Gold.

Given how many swims he's had in a week compared to the Silver winner, he deserved it!

[Pappy]

I wish the race for the historic eigth gold was an individual and not a relay. No matter how good the team is, there are still three other swimmers that could have a problem.

[Alex Franke]

An another 1/100 of a second 1/2 finish just a few seconds ago... Torres took silver... Pretty amazing finishes! It was like a repeat of last night!

[Ed62]

That's just amazing! I'm with Don. He has to depend on other people now. You just never know who's going to have a bad day.

Ed

[Pappy]

Looks like we were worried for nothing. The team set another world record to help Michael step into Olympic history with his 8th medal in a single games. His record career count is now at 14 gold and 2 silver!

[cabinetman]

If his arms were 1" shorter he would have Silver, not Gold.

At 6' 4" he's got the lead just leaving the starting platform.
.

[jussi]

Congratulations to Michael. That's one heck of an accomplishment. Being, not only the greatest swimmer in Olympic history, but the greatest Olympian. I hope he holds that honor with respect. Whether he wants to be or not, he's now a role model and I hope he'll be a good one.

[Pappy]

Congratulations to Michael. That's one heck of an accomplishment. Being, not only the greatest swimmer in Olympic history, but the greatest Olympian. I hope he holds that honor with respect. Whether he wants to be or not, he's now a role model and I hope he'll be a good one.

From the interviews and numerous clips about him that have been shown, I believe he will prove to be a good role model and representative of the sport.

[cgallery]

An another 1/100 of a second 1/2 finish just a few seconds ago... Torres took silver... Pretty amazing finishes! It was like a repeat of last night!

Phelps achievement is overwhelming, but Torres is right up there in my book, too.

To compete in five Olympics, from 1984 to 2008 (she didn't compete in 1996), and to continue competing at the age of 41, and to set a new personal best, to take such a strong stance against doping, I think she is pretty neat.

Last night after losing the gold by .01 second (in women's 50M free), she commented something like, "I'm pretty competitive but I'm happy with the silver" and she seemed so genuine and sincere, I gained even more respect for her.

[gsmittle]

Phelps achievement is overwhelming, but Torres is right up there in my book, too.

To compete in five Olympics, from 1984 to 2008 (she didn't compete in 1996), and to continue competing at the age of 41, and to set a new personal best, to take such a strong stance against doping, I think she is pretty neat.

Last night after losing the gold by .01 second (in women's 50M free), she commented something like, "I'm pretty competitive but I'm happy with the silver" and she seemed so genuine and sincere, I gained even more respect for her.

I was really impressed by her checking the results, then congratulating the winner without a second's hesitation. Later she said if she hadn't trimmed her nails the night before she might've won. All said with a smile and a wink. Anybody with that attitude is a winner no matter where they finish.

After Phelp's win I could distinctly hear him talking to the rest of the relay team. He said, "I couldn't have done this without all of you guys. Thank you!"

Pretty cool!

g.

[germdoc]

Having swum competitively in high school, I know what it takes to be a top-notch swimmer. More than I was willing to put in, I might add...

The top swimmers put in 1 1/2 to 2 hours in the morning before school and 2 1/2-3 hours after, and train all year round. Unlike soccer, football, running sports, etc., if you don't start by about age 8 forget about becoming a champion. Also if you're not the right body shape--long, flexible, big shoulders and thighs.

What really separates Phelps is his focus. You can't just be in great shape, train well, make no mistakes, etc. You have to want to win more than the other guy. Look at his 100 butterfly win. That's it in a nutshell.

Interestingly, he had a DWI about 3 years ago, and last year broke his wrist in somewhat murky circumstances, after which he apparently declared his swimming career was over. Fortunately he changed his mind and refocused to fulfill his potential. Which could easily extend into the 2024 Olympics, if Dara Torres is any guide!