Quote:
Originally Posted by transplant99
And then he can run the 200 and the 400 and the 800 and the 1500 .
|
No, you're being totally disingenuous saying something like that. Let's take out the non-marathon events and also pretend sprinting isn't much more brutal on the body then swimming and break it down. (A swimmer does separate medal events hours apart of the same day, it would be insane to think of a runner doing the 100m in the afternoon then the 200m hours later)
50m Events
Swimming - one
Sprinting - zero
100m Events
Swimming - Four
Sprinting - One
200m Events
Swimming - Five
Sprinting - One
400m Events
Swimming - Two
Sprinting - One
Relay Events
Swimming - Three
Sprinting - Two
So in similar Olympics events a swimming has the potential to win 15 medals, a Sprinter has five.
This is again totally ignoring the impossibility of a sprinter doing that due to the toll on his body.
Quote:
|
and the 100 and 200 hurdles long jump etc etc.
|
That doesn't even make sense...
I think I understand what you're saying, but those are totally different track events all together. That would be like saying Phelps has more opportunity to win if he went in the high diving or synchronized swimming competitions.
Quote:
|
Just because Phelps does all his winning in the pool, doesnt mean that every discipline is alike and in fact are very very different which helps lend credence to him being the greatest olympian of all time.
|
Not saying all the disciplines are alike but a Sprinter doesn't get afforded the opportunity to win a race running forwards then backwards then sideways then a speed walk.
Quote:
|
Just because he focuses on one discipline in sprinting doesnt mean there arent multiple opportunities to compete in more
|
What events is Phelps missing out on?
Honestly, I think trying to decide which athlete is the best Olympian is a fruitless debate... but if you're suggesting Swimming doesn't have too many events I take major issue with that, it does.
One of the best Olympians ever is Canadian Clara Hughes. She is the
only athlete ever to have won multiple medals in both the Summer and Winter games.