“Michael Phelps’ quest for seven gold medals ended after just three events, doomed by another bronze Monday night in the most anticipated race at the Olympic pool,” reports the Associated Press. So far, Phelps has earned a gold in the 400 individual medley, and bronzes in the 400 freestyle relay and 200 meter freestyle race. Three events done, three medals won, five to go – yet many are saying that he’s “doomed” and treating him like a failure.
Phelps is only 19 and has a chance to win eight medals (though not all gold). This, in itself, is a positively incredibe feat! No one – not the media, not you or me – should consider his Olympic performance shabby, or somehow sub-par, just because he didn’t beat Mark Spitz’s record.
An online MSNBC poll says 59 percent of respondents thought Michael Phelps was overrated. Why, because a 19-year-old didn’t beat one of the most amazing records of all time? Because he’s coming home with a medley of medals, instead of just golds?
He’s 19. Let me repeat that. 19. In the 200 meter race, he set an American record. He’s won three medals. So viewers need to stop criticizing, and getting some kind of sick joy out of seeing the perfect, rising young star fall. Because he hasn’t. He’s still rising. In the 2012 Olympics, he’ll be only 27!
His performance in Athens has been incredible, but it’s only the beginning.
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