Phelps' place in history

by Janet Evans, Yahoo! Sports

August 20, 2004

ATHENS, Greece – As someone who knows the heart of a swimmer and knows what it takes to compete and succeed at the Olympic level, I have to say that I was floored by Michael Phelps' announcement that he would not swim in the 4x100 medley relay finals Saturday night.

But when I stop to think about it for a moment, it doesn't affect what he's accomplished or change his place in history as one of the greatest swimmers ever in the sport.

Phelps arrived in Athens on a quest for a record seven gold medals. That went out the window Monday night, when he took third in the showdown with Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband in the 200 freestyle.

If he had won there, Friday night's race against teammate and rival Ian Crocker would have been an epic matchup.

It would have made the difference between being mentioned in the same breath as Mark Spitz or merely as the swimmer who "came close to tying Mark Spitz."

But Monday's loss also did something else. As soon as Phelps touched the wall in third place, I began to believe that he could win the 100 butterfly four days later.

My gut told me that besides relieving the pressure of the Mark Spitz chase, the individual bronze medal was bound to make Phelps hungry for gold. In Phelps' world, a bronze is fine, but it is gold that he covets.

From personal experience, I know that standing on one of the lower steps of an Olympic medal podium is motivation in itself to win a gold the next time you jump into the pool.

Another factor is Crocker. The man whose photo Phelps pasted to his wall for motivation beat him in their two prior meetings – the world championships last year and at this summer's Olympic trials. Crocker broke the world record in the 100 butterfly both times.

Phelps also had an added advantage here in Athens – Crocker has been sick since competition began seven days ago. After a dismal performance in the men's 100 freestyle, Crocker performed better in the 100 butterfly qualifying. But he has yet to look the same in the water as he did six weeks ago at Olympic trials.

Phelps told the media Friday night that was one reason he made his stunning decision, to give Crocker a chance at redemption.

Let's not forget that Phelps already qualified for the relay team. And if the team wins gold (the U.S. is heavily favored), then Phelps wins gold, no matter who swims the butterfly leg in the finals.

Phelps is all but guaranteed to leave Athens with six gold and two bronze medals. Not quite Spitz-esque, but pretty darn close.

In fact, I believe Phelps is better than Spitz ever was.

Here's why: Today's swimmers compete in a different world than the one Spitz knew, one that we now know means the U.S. does not dominate in every race.

What I admire most about Phelps is his courage. He knew that the 200-meter freestyle wasn't his best race. He also knew that the 100 butterfly would be an incredible challenge. But he wasn't afraid to try, regardless of the result.

At these Olympic games, Mark Spitz commented that he would never swim a race unless he knew he could win it.

This was not Michael Phelps' modus operandi. He swam against two world record holders in two events that he wasn't favored to win.

Thorpe didn't scare him. Nor did Crocker. If this had been Mark Spitz's Olympics, he probably wouldn't have entered those races.

Let's applaud Michael Phelps for his efforts. No matter how many medals he takes home.

He did more than just win a lot of gold this week. He proved to athletes the world over that the most important part of being a champion is trying, regardless of the color or number of medals hanging around your neck when it's over.

Janet Evans is Yahoo! Sports' Olympic swimming analyst. Send Janet a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Updated on Friday, Aug 20, 2004 7:47 pm, EDT

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