Phelps out of retirement
Discussion
Not a great surprise as it was reported 6 months ago that he had re-enrolled in the drug testing programme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/27028517
I suppose if anyone can do it he can but I can't help wonder what on earth his motivation is. I have read both his biographies and he is completely driven by winning above all else. Perhaps he will be able to again but age is certainly not on his side.
Regardless it will be great to see him swim again and I hope he does well. Just need to find some way of watching the meet. Hopefully it will be streamed on the Web.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/27028517
I suppose if anyone can do it he can but I can't help wonder what on earth his motivation is. I have read both his biographies and he is completely driven by winning above all else. Perhaps he will be able to again but age is certainly not on his side.
Regardless it will be great to see him swim again and I hope he does well. Just need to find some way of watching the meet. Hopefully it will be streamed on the Web.
If you look at someone like Ian Thorpe. Who suffered serious depression after retiring.
You can possibly imagine that Phelps has found it difficult to adjust to non competitive life. He wouldn't be alone in that. Lots of sportsman, particularly the successful ones struggle after retirement.
Wonder if that pushed him to return. Too much free time.
You can possibly imagine that Phelps has found it difficult to adjust to non competitive life. He wouldn't be alone in that. Lots of sportsman, particularly the successful ones struggle after retirement.
Wonder if that pushed him to return. Too much free time.
http://www.swmeets.com/Realtime/Grand%20Prix/2014/...
Gone 1st in the 100 fly prelims, edging Lochte by a 10th of a second. 3 seconds off WR pace but for first competitive soon in 18 months is pretty good.
Obviously still has it.
Gone 1st in the 100 fly prelims, edging Lochte by a 10th of a second. 3 seconds off WR pace but for first competitive soon in 18 months is pretty good.
Obviously still has it.
Good to see him back. From Facebook he seemed like he was having a nice time in retirement and was keeping busy with charitable things.
The man is born and built to swim though. If anyone can do it he can. I hope he keeps it specific though. Maybe 50/100 fly, 200 IM for a fun event and of course the relays (though maybe only the IM, and even then I'd be tempted to let new guys have all the relay spots)
It must be hard though because at that level in swimming your nearest friends are your coach and the black line at the bottom of the pool!
The man is born and built to swim though. If anyone can do it he can. I hope he keeps it specific though. Maybe 50/100 fly, 200 IM for a fun event and of course the relays (though maybe only the IM, and even then I'd be tempted to let new guys have all the relay spots)
It must be hard though because at that level in swimming your nearest friends are your coach and the black line at the bottom of the pool!
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Saturday 26th April 12:14
Otispunkmeyer said:
Maybe 50/100 fly, 200 IM for a fun event and of course the relays (though maybe only the IM, and even then I'd be tempted to let new guys have all the relay spots)
Indeed, can't see him doing many 200 flys and 400 IMs.See he came second in the final, behind Lochte. But 52.1 ain't bad - would have won the British Champs last week by nearly half a second.
BBC article said that that was 2 seconds off his WR, but that was a fully suited time IIRC and no-one world-wide has been close to getting sub 50 on 100 fly since. He's probably 1 second only off a time it would take to win a World Champs.
Be interesting to see what he focuses on, there's too much competition and specialist/freaks on 50's, even on hundreds he may struggle, 200fly is a good one, but I know this sounds mad, to me he never looked like the most natural flyer, more of a Steve Parry (guts and hard work) than a James Hickman (effortless and fluid) if you follow me. So it will be good to see if he can run Le Clos et al close.
Good to see they had a 17 yo in the final doing 53.4 holy crap!
Good to see they had a 17 yo in the final doing 53.4 holy crap!
Edited by OneDs on Friday 25th April 23:32
Highway Star said:
Indeed, can't see him doing many 200 flys and 400 IMs.
See he came second in the final, behind Lochte. But 52.1 ain't bad - would have won the British Champs last week by nearly half a second.
BBC article said that that was 2 seconds off his WR, but that was a fully suited time IIRC and no-one world-wide has been close to getting sub 50 on 100 fly since. He's probably 1 second only off a time it would take to win a World Champs.
He said in the press conference he wont be doing any IMs I think. Can't blame him.See he came second in the final, behind Lochte. But 52.1 ain't bad - would have won the British Champs last week by nearly half a second.
BBC article said that that was 2 seconds off his WR, but that was a fully suited time IIRC and no-one world-wide has been close to getting sub 50 on 100 fly since. He's probably 1 second only off a time it would take to win a World Champs.
52.1 is very good for someone who has not swum competitively for 18 months, was still 3 KG over-weight and by the looks of it didn't even bother shaving.
Watched the video of this race this morning (USA swimming filmed it it seems) and Phelps and Lochte were interviewed poolside after the race. Of course, Rio was mentioned and while it would be nice, I don't think he'll go. If I were him I don't think I'd go either. I'd stick to a nicer work/training/life balance and just enter competitions for a bit of fun and enjoyment. Not sure thats within his mentality, but I can only assume that come 2016 there'll be more than a couple of new guys ready to displace him from the medals and maybe even the finals altogether.
I don't want to see him fizzle out like a lot of sports stars who stay around too long.
I don't want to see him fizzle out like a lot of sports stars who stay around too long.
You could see that this is a wind down process, not a wind up process for sure.... Keeps him in and around an existing support network and perhaps he can offer his expertise and experience to the younger breed. Perhaps if he wants to go to the coaching/administration side then this is part of maintaining and active role in the sport while that happens.
Most likely he's made the decision based on the fact that he'd still be winning golds at 95% of his best especially at the worlds last year.
Most likely he's made the decision based on the fact that he'd still be winning golds at 95% of his best especially at the worlds last year.
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