Un-sportsman-like behavior?
Fans received quite a jolt at the Pan Pacific Championships when Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps dug in his heels - instead of electing to dive into the crystal clear waters sparkling nearby - and announced he was cancelling his slot in the 200 individual medley race with Ryan Lochte.
Ryan Lochte undoubtedly pined to best a victory he landed over Phelps two weeks ago at the U.S. championships.
The accomplishment was no mean feat in the wake of the supersuit bans in January.
When Lochte nabbed the golden prize, he became the first swimmer to break a world record since the restrictions were imposed.
Meanwhile, when probed by a News commentator poolside in Irvine (CA), Phelps caught himself - midstream, so to speak - revealing the awful truth.
“With all the training I’ve been doing - well, not doing - I didn't feel confident that I’d be able to go any faster,“ he confessed in so many words.
Was it a sloppy slip of the tongue that caused the star athlete to admit he hadn’t been training?
Just yesterday, I reported that the celebrated swimmer’s coach was frustrated by the lack of focus and Phelps' continued failure to appear poolside regularly to keep-in-shape for the upcoming competitions.
Post: 08/21/10
http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2010/08/michael-phelpsnabs-4-golds-bad-boy.html
On the heels of the initial revelation, Phelps uttered up a flimsy excuse to explain away why he was backing down from the much-anticipated race against good friend and competitive rival Lochte.
“I was feeling sluggish,” he whined.
Obviously, when you consider that Phelps failed to qualify for the 400 IM final.
Poor baby!
So, like a quitter - afraid to face challenges square on - Phelps chose to hang out with his girlfriend on the sidelines instead as Lochte went on to win the individual medley.
In fact, when the eager swimmer hit the wall, he scooped up the win with the 3rd-fastest time in history (in spite of the fact he slowed down a hair’s breath on the last leg of the race).
Even powerhouse swimmers like Lochte occasionally lack that final burst of energy to surge ahead when seconds are crucial in the end scheme of things.
Lochte ended up with 6 gold medals at Pan Pacific for his efforts.
At the end of the day, Michael Phelps qualified to race in competitive stints in upcoming swim meets on an International level.
His 2011 schedule likely will include the 200 IM, 200 freestyle, and the 100 and 200 butterfly.
Of course, there will be at least three relays, too.
Most agree - it was an odd sight, though - to spy the high-profile hunk sitting out an event.
Some critics argued that Phelps bowed out because he doesn’t like losing.
“Lochte was a wake-up call for Phelps. He has been forced to move into a different gear,“ one reporter quipped in a commentary on air.
Lochte won four individual gold medals to two squirreled by Phelps, including surefire wins in the 200- and 400-meter individual medleys.
If you recall, Phelps once was King in these events.
Others whispered that Michael took the action he did because he was flat-out getting tired of losing to Lochte - a swimmer who has been breathing down his back - and on occasion - besting him at the finish line.
Lochte is a comer, after all, who has the staying power to compete in 5 or 6 races through the course of a day.
"He's versatile," one sport reporter underscored in his assessment.
Unlike Phelps - Lochte set his sights on his goals - and trained hard in the weeks leading up to the Pan Pacific Championships to achieve them.
What does the future hold for Phelps?
A fall from grace, perhaps, if he continues to pull these last-minute stunts which smack of a spoiled child anxious to pluck up his marbles and go home when things don't go his way.
Michael, get a grip!
Young blood breathing down Phelps back!
http://www.thetattler.biz
