Michael Phelps

The announcer said he won by a "fingertip" so yeah, it was really, really close.

Joyce

Anyway.......I am a big fan of Micheal Phelps and I think he has a nice physique - I actually think he is a great match for my oldest daughter, Ashley who has dated his "type" in the past. She's in Japan now, but I'll have to ask her if she thinks he's hot!!! I hate to say it but I found myself cringing every time he opened his mouth. He prefaced everything he said with, "I'm at a loss for words," then he would babble on repeating himself over and over. While I am very happy for him and his achievements, I felt that the time he was jacking his jaw, the other swimmers, who also worked exceptionally hard to get where they were, could have had some floor time. That's my only *thing* about him. Otherwise, I think he's great!!!

As for Dara Torres, I have to say, that if I were going to go gay, she would be the one I would do it for. She seems to have a great personality and just looks amazing! I love her energy!! Good for her!!! She should be an inspiration to us all! :)

to be fair to Phelps...he isn't chasing the announcers and media around...they are ALWAYS in his face. If he were to be annoyed or short with any one of them they'd just turn on him and slap the old "jerk" label on him. I don't doubt he's running out of novel witty things to say...after what....how many days of being accosted multiple times per day? He is a very very young man...and he will need to get used to it and assert his need for space and privacy...or simply become better at speaking.

I feel bad for him because everyone is so sick of him from a lot of what I am reading around the 'net...and upset the other swimmers are seemingly ignored...and he really has nothing to do with it...he's just going about the business of being a spectacular....record breaking...never to be duplicated athlete, should he NOT do that? Probably a hard situation to be in...

The media could be handling this with a lot more parity and balance...but really, what precedent do we have with them and parity or fairness? LOL.

i agree gina. although i did laugh yesterday when we watched a few of his interviews. he really is SO awkward in front of the camera lol!

The guy said one of the biggest things he's looking forward to after this is getting home and SEEING HIS DOG. The guy is great as far as I am concerned...only great people say things like that!

 Yup he has an English Bulldog.  All credit to the guy, he's done something amazing, and that to me is what the Olympics are really about.  Even the GB commentators have been cheering him on, and when you get people from rival countries urging someone on to win just because of how incredible it would be if he did - well that is the purpose of events like this to me.  That is true sportsmanship.

I did read an article about what Phelps eats on a daily basis.  Incredible as it may seem, it would put even Gina to shame!  *snicker*  

I also heard about his physique, and what makes him such a great swimmer.  Apparently his torso is several inches longer than it should be for a guy his height, but his legs are several inches shorter.  That's why he's able to ride on top of the water better than anyone else, and his short powerful legs motor him along.  His armspan is also longer than it should be and his knees are double-jointed.  So he looks awkward on land but is perfectly built to be in the water.

Did you guys know that he had ADHD as a kid, and was sent to the swimming pool because he needed to burn off energy, and also because in the pool was the only place he found where he could focus on one single thing? 

Benedict

I also heard about his physique, and what makes him such a great swimmer.  Apparently his torso is several inches longer than it should be for a guy his height, but his legs are several inches shorter.  That's why he's able to ride on top of the water better than anyone else, and his short powerful legs motor him along.  His armspan is also longer than it should be and his knees are double-jointed.  So he looks awkward on land but is perfectly built to be in the water.

Did you guys know that he had ADHD as a kid, and was sent to the swimming pool because he needed to burn off energy, and also because in the pool was the only place he found where he could focus on one single thing? 

I saw that on the beeb website -DH is long torso'd and has big feet - told him he should've been a swimmer

exercise and having a very specific thing to focus on are fantastic ways of dealing with ADHD - in all reality only the very serious cases should have meds.

Benedict

Did you guys know that he had ADHD as a kid, and was sent to the swimming pool because he needed to burn off energy, and also because in the pool was the only place he found where he could focus on one single thing

yup sure did! What I don't know is why Mom is a single mom...if his Dad is passed on or just not involved...

Everyone...as they say is good at something. And most can be GREAT at something. Not everyone's great will be Olympics great but many talented people I know are awkward or shoot mediocre in other facets of life. Always a trade off! I think the guy is cool...and wish him all the best. The spot I watched with him and his dog was extremely sweet.

rwbeagles

What I don't know is why Mom is a single mom...if his Dad is passed on or just not involved...

In today's paper it said it was the latter, since M was 7

I wonder if the million dollar speedo bonus will see him resurfacing...that happens so often with star athletes in football. I bet Mom and he and the other kids are prepared...she seems pretty on the ball.

"WAS" and ADHD kid?! I think he probably still is LOL How else could he eat 12000 calories and fly through water!!

CONGRATULATIONS MICHAEL!!!! WOO HOO!!

This AM on the radio they were talking about people at UM who knew Michael and said he is NOT a nice person. Well I have never met him but my guess would be he knows one thing and only one thing. Swimming. He is probably so obsessed with it he does not know how to carry on a "normal" conversation. Not to mention he was always training so probably not real social. Athletes at this level must sacrifice to obtain their goals.

Another group was saying he didn't attend classes at UM. I don't know anything about that but he did graduate this year after starting "late" because of the Sydney Olympics. He did NOT have an athletic scholarship as his endorsements prohibited him from swimming for the University. I think he helped coach. So I seriously doubt the UM would let him skate for nothing.

I have not seen one of his swims. I have not had time to watch the Olympics. I tivo'd some of the equestrian stuff but even there I have pretty much only had time to watch the 3-day cross country run.
 

Maxs Mom

 Well I have never met him but my guess would be he knows one thing and only one thing. Swimming. He is probably so obsessed with it he does not know how to carry on a "normal" conversation.  
 

This happens in more places than you'd think.  I've lived in a university town for many years and I've met PHDs who are so obsessed with their own little corner of academia that they just tune out the rest of the world.  They're considered brilliant, but they couldn't carry on a normal conversation about anything if their lives depended on it. They're totally clueless about what's going on around them ... in their town, the state, the country or the world and  they couldn't care less.

Joyce

Benedict

Did you guys know that he had ADHD as a kid, and was sent to the swimming pool because he needed to burn off energy, and also because in the pool was the only place he found where he could focus on one single thing? 

Yah, me and my Mom were talking about this. IMO and my Moms ADHD and ADD can be channeled into something (like what Phelps did) instead of turning to meds which most of the time, sadly, my Mom sees (she works in a middle school).

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Maxs Mom

 Well I have never met him but my guess would be he knows one thing and only one thing. Swimming. He is probably so obsessed with it he does not know how to carry on a "normal" conversation.  
 

This happens in more places than you'd think.  I've lived in a university town for many years and I've met PHDs who are so obsessed with their own little corner of academia that they just tune out the rest of the world.  They're considered brilliant, but they couldn't carry on a normal conversation about anything if their lives depended on it. They're totally clueless about what's going on around them ... in their town, the state, the country or the world and  they couldn't care less.

Joyce

My father was the EPITOME of this!!!! LOL He was the absent minded professor. He was a Nuclear Physicist, and chair of his department. He was such a scatter brain. We would laugh all the time. When we went to his retirement ceremony, all the people were talking about this amazing man. My sister and I just kept looking at each other like "are they talking about OUR father?" We didn't see that side of him. However if you brought up Physics you best be careful!!! LOL I refused to take physics in school I did not want to let my father down.