Michael Phelps, the first of his kind
LONDON — You can’t write history. It doesn’t come neatly packaged, wrapped up with a pretty bow.
If Michael Phelps had been able to write the script here Tuesday night, of course he would have won his signature event, the 200-meter butterfly. Didn’t happen. He got caught between strokes at the very end, and he took silver. What a way to win his 18th career Olympic medal, tying him with Russian gymnast Larysa Latinina, who won her medals in the 1950s and 1960s.
An hour or so later, when the U.S. 4×200 relay team won, with Phelps swimming the anchor leg, he suddenly had 19, most ever.
And after four finals here at the 2012 London Games, Michael Phelps finally had his first gold medal of these Olympics.
Read the rest at NBCOlympics.com: http://bit.ly/MQGDWP
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Mr, Abrahamson,
I just completed watching your interview regarding Michael Phelps’ winning an unbelievable number of Olympic medals, most of which are gold. Yes, truly a very remarkable feat of his physical attributes.
You then made an attempt to compare Michael Phelps achievements with other great athlete.s in Olympic history. You, very correctly, mentioned: Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Rafer Johnson, Carl Lewis. All of whom are certainly worthy of mentioning in this conversation.
One absolutely HUGE omission, on your part, was Al Oerter (sp), who some believe may have achieved one of the greatest accomplishments in Olympic history, Al Oerter won four Gold Medals in the same Athletic (Track & Field) event (Discus) in four consecutive Olympiads (1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968). Think of it four Gold Medals over a sixteen year period certainly is worth mentioning.
Please know how much I did enjoy watching your interview. I always marvel at how well you and your colleagues do in helping us become informed.
Congrats Michael. Amazing. The summer games will seem strange without you, I loved watching you all these years. You are a true sportsmen and a gentlemen who never stooped to running your mouth about any other swimmer. “My swimming speaks for me” Well, I heard every word you said. All the best sweetie.