Phelps or Bolt

[Doctor MJ]

^^It does when the winner of the race breaks the world record, and was apparently coasting 3/4's of the way through...

Swimmers have gotten better over the years mostly due to technology. Granted physically, they're in better shape, and train harder. But deeper pools, faster suits, and lane seperators that provide lower resistance have all benefited these athletes?

What advantages to the runners have? Wind? Spiked shoes? (Those have been around for years) Even the track suits are highly advanced, but I don't believe they have nearly the same effect that the new suits the swimmers use have.

Well I guess that's the debate (not the technology part). I would say that we'll just see what happens in the court of opinion, but Phelps being an American does give him an unfair advantage.

Here's what I will say: If Bolt develops to his potential, I think he'll be the star of the London games no matter who else is around.

[eyeatoma]

^^ Agreed on all accounts...

[5DOM]

Even now hes a star. It would be scary if he can improve more.

[dougthonus]

Bolt is clearly the best. He does have 1 gold medal and set 1 record. I mean few people have ever done that.

[Typhoon20]

Btw, isn't Phelps the fastest swimmer ever ?

Proof ?

[High 5]

Bolt is clearly the best. He does have 1 gold medal and set 1 record. I mean few people have ever done that.

Just under 10 seconds of sprinting more impressive than 14 medals over two Olympics. That makes sense.

[Rocky5000]

Both are really awesome. Bolt looks like he can go much faster. I don't know if it's his running style that's deceptive, or if he really is jogging and turning in world record times.
Phelps has the ability to turn it on and beat anyone in the pool. The 'fastest swimmer' is supposed to be the person who holds the record in the 50m. Phelps thrives on the turns, so obviously he's not going to be the best 50m swimmer. However, he does hold a world record in 6 of the 7 events he's competed in, and an olympic record in the other. So IMO he's not the fastest swimmer, but he is the best swimmer by a huge margin.

[dougthonus]

Just under 10 seconds of sprinting more impressive than 14 medals over two Olympics. That makes sense.

I'm not sure if you are not picking up on my sarcasm, or if you are and rolling with it

I don't think it's even remotely close who is more impressive. Phelps is way more impressive. I don't even see how this is an argument.

[High 5]

Just under 10 seconds of sprinting more impressive than 14 medals over two Olympics. That makes sense.

I'm not sure if you are not picking up on my sarcasm, or if you are and rolling with it

Definitely rolling with it.

[JWizmentality]

Bolt...but yeah I'm biased. Frankly though, Bolt is the bigger star. Nobody gives a **** about Phelps or swimming outside the US. For the US to be the only country that never braodcasted the 100m final live is a travesty. I've been force fed swimming, swimming, and gym rats for the past week. The worst coverage of the Olympics I've ever seen.

[Doctor MJ]

Bolt...but yeah I'm biased. Frankly though, Bolt is the bigger star. Nobody gives a **** about Phelps or swimming outside the US. For the US to be the only country that never braodcasted the 100m final live is a travesty. I've been force fed swimming, swimming, and gym rats for the past week. The worst coverage of the Olympics I've ever seen.

Really? My understanding was that swimming was bigger in Australia and at least some of Europe than it is here.

Regardless, the whole gymnastics & swimming focus is certainly not about a lack of respect for track. The US does after all do quite well in track too.

[Whiteman]

Bolt...but yeah I'm biased. Frankly though, Bolt is the bigger star. Nobody gives a **** about Phelps or swimming outside the US. For the US to be the only country that never braodcasted the 100m final live is a travesty. I've been force fed swimming, swimming, and gym rats for the past week. The worst coverage of the Olympics I've ever seen.

That's just nonsense. Phelps is the biggest story in the olympics right now over here as well. Swimming may not be as popular as track and field internationally, but it's not that far behind.

[Doctor MJ]

Bolt...but yeah I'm biased. Frankly though, Bolt is the bigger star. Nobody gives a **** about Phelps or swimming outside the US. For the US to be the only country that never braodcasted the 100m final live is a travesty. I've been force fed swimming, swimming, and gym rats for the past week. The worst coverage of the Olympics I've ever seen.

That's just nonsense. Phelps is the biggest story in the olympics right now over here as well. Swimming may not be as popular as track and field internationally, but it's not that far behind.

Yeah, I'd be curious to see how others view the Olympics sports. When I think of them I think:

1. Track & Field
2. Gymnastics
3. Swimming
4. ???

What do y'all think of?

[High 5]

Bolt a bigger star than Phelps? Joke?

[GQStylin]

While Phelps has impressed me very much, Bolt has UTTERLY ASTOUNDED me!

Seriously in the history of olympics has there ever been an athlete that hasn't gone full out 100% in the finals of a timed sport while contending for the gold medal? Never, until now. This has to be the first time that anyone has ever not given their 100% in the event finals yet:

1) Still destroyed everyone in the field by a wide margin
2) JOGGED to the finish line in the 100m finals
3) And STILL break a world record like it was nothing

I'm sure many people believed Phelps could win 8 golds before the olympics started, but did anyone on this planet ever invision that Bolt would win the 100m by JOGGING TO THE FINISH LINE and STILL break the world record? I don't think so. Because that is so mind blowing, I doubt anyone would have fathomed such a thing could ever happen. And that to me is why what Bolt did is so amazing.

Phelps beat the best of the best in swimming, but Bolt DESTROYED the best of the best in running and made everyone else look SLOW!

[Joker]

I will say this: on paper, Phelps is more impressive. However, purely in terms of optics and the "wow factor," Bolt has him beat.

To put it in perspective, imagine if this was Phelps' first Olympics, if the butterfly was relatively knew to him, and he was leisurely coasting in on the last 10 meters of his races and still getting world records.

[JWizmentality]

Bolt a bigger star than Phelps? Joke?

In the global aspect yes. Just like soccer is bigger than football. I've been watching live feeds over the internet from the BBC, Norway, France, and have only seen 2 of Phelps' races live. All track events are live. Even had to sit through the whole 20k walk.

[Joker]

The difference between the elite sprinters and the elite swimmers is that the only time you hear of swimmers is during the Olympics. Sprinters can actually make headlines during non-Olympic years for great performances.

[Doctor MJ]

Phelps beat the best of the best in swimming, but Bolt DESTROYED the best of the best in running and made everyone else look SLOW!

When you put it like that, I wonder if you've been watching Phelps. Yeah he's had some close races, but he's had some where he utterly slaughters the field, and honestly doesn't look like he breaks a sweat. When he's beating the field by 2 seconds in a 200m race, that's absolutely comparable to what Bain won by, and he's doing it while pacing him for a marathon and not focusing on perfecting any particular race.

I really don't want to rain on Bain's parade, as I'm very excited about him, but I find it remarkable how matter-of-fact Phelps accomplishments are being portrayed.

[Al n' Perk No Layups!]

The difference between the elite sprinters and the elite swimmers is that the only time you hear of swimmers is during the Olympics. Sprinters can actually make headlines during non-Olympic years for great performances.

Since when?