No, he isn't the greatest Olympian...
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8/18/2008 6:41 pm |
Sorry, but Michael PHELPS isn't the greatest Olympian, being the winningest swimmer ... yes. One of the greatest Olympian if not the greatest would be Jesse OWENS. The courage that he showed in the face of unrelenting racism was Olympian by itself. And then the grace and dignity, not to mention the unprecedented physical ability, that he demonstrated in Berlin in 1936 . . . JESSE OWENS (1913-1980) Jesse Owens's Olympic success is one of the great sporting stories of triumph over adversity. Owens won four gold medals at the Berlin Olympics in 1936 - a remarkable achievement in itself, but even more so when you consider that the black athlete achieved his victories in the swastiker-clad heart of Nazi Germany. Hitler had hoped the games would provide tangible proof of the Nazi's racial supremacy. He couldn't have been more wrong. Owens equalled the Olympic record in the 100m, had the three best jumps in the long jump, and the 4x100m relay team - of which Owens was the anchor man - set a world-record which was to last for 20 years. Then, you should consider Carl LEWIS who compete in running from the 100 meters to the 400 meters and in long jump... Actual US have an "Identity crisis", I don't blame it... with a lousy presidency, slowing economy, a non-end War. Medias are focus on creating a hero to show the greatness and force of this country. We are constantly feed of pictures/interviews of feat from a young man representing those US. I'm already on overdose state. It's absurd that People are so blind and willing to suggest that Michael PHELPS, even with all his medals, his millions of dollars in endorsements are greater than Jesse OWENS. Then, denaturing the concept of the Olympics by counting the medals number (gold/silver/bronze) to show your "superiority" over others is overrated. This "gold chase" is simply unnecessary made by people who don't even compete and/or have abilities to do so. It's like watching pre-school kids fighting about having the biggest marbles in their bags. Medias/supporters shouldn't emphasis this "gold chase". Period. The Olympic Motto is "Citius, Altius, Fortius," a Latin phrase meaning "Swifter, Higher, Stronger." Coubertin's ideals are probably best illustrated by the Olympic Creed: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well" Have a beautiful day, Frenchguy. Song of the day: SURVIVOR "Eye of the tiger" |
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8/18/2008 8:15 pm |
 frenchy.
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 8/18/2008 9:05 pm |
There is a class and dignity in Jesse Owens that is not seen in Michael Phelps. In saying that, maybe the conditions that made Jesse Owens great are not present or taken as seriously as they once were. Because of that, we can't deny that Phelps is a humble, decent young man. It's too bad the media is not as humble (is it ever?). I wish that they had approached him differently though, as it left behind a saccharin taste as opposed to the genuine sweet feeling of pride that someone is meant to feel when a countryman does well. It isn't his fault he seems like a crafted persona constantly being forced onto the world. It's the actions of the gormless, tasteless media machine's overexposure. The publicity reeked of jingoism, and to a degree mild ethnocentrism. Excessive coverage does nothing to restore national pride, it only serves to display the growing insecurity Americans feel as our world becomes more multipolar. Through it all though, I think he did a good job of showing humility and representing himself well as an individual. That is a credit to the nation, although the media coverage did nothing to represent the US well. On a sidenote, I would like to see if the US basketball team receives the same level of attention if they get the gold medal.
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8/19/2008 12:47 am |
I think Matt Biondi had a better face to look at on TV (compared to Phelps). Phelps is, as formandfunction says, over-exposed by the media.
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8/19/2008 3:31 am |
Jesse Owen definitely gets my vote on this one alonside two other sporting hero's that showed that in the face of adversity a strong statement of not being defeated by those who would see them suffer was a greater truth than any medal. I am talking about Tommie Smith and John Carlos in the 1968 Olympics who took a stand against oppression in America and informed the world in one swift movement that Black people would no longer lie down and have the dirty feet of enforced superiority wiped on them. For me this is true greatness. Phelps is a good swimmer. A humble young man who is being swept up in a media frenzy but as we all know the press is fickle. This is his greatest moment and even though I think there are other great Olympians who are great not for medals but for reason let him have his day.
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8/19/2008 7:43 pm |
Agreed! Wow...The poise that Mr. Owens showed at the age of 23 is phenomenal!
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8/19/2008 10:47 pm |
Why didn't my comment show up ? Well, what I ask was , does the long jump record he set still stand ?  KORN 
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8/20/2008 5:31 am |
Thanks all for your comments, No question, M. PHELPS is a great athlete, he proved that will and belief bring success... But as most of you wrote, his over-exposure (damn.. medias) will bring rapidly an "annoying" feeling.. Beautiful day to all.
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8/20/2008 5:40 am |
Jesse OWENS 8.13meters Mike POWELL 8.95meters (world record)since 1991...
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8/20/2008 7:33 pm |
My own personal vote for greatest olympian is every gold medal decathlete. They had to show sustained superior performance in ten events in just one olympics. Granted that person doesn't have to finish first in every one of the ten events to win the gold. Actually he doesn't need to finish the best in any of the events. It's about sustained superior performance.
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8/21/2008 8:50 am |
Lock, yes... i forgot to "list" Decathlon/heptathlon athletes... Those are the one who show strenght,versatility and determination. Thanks to remind us about these athletes. Take care.
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9/2/2008 6:57 pm |
BTW all, I know this is a little dated, but the US decathalelte Bryan Clay won gold!
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