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Doku · 08-12-2008, 12:22 PM

I think the issue here is the masses of Americans that are on the Phelps bandwagon. (even though his time was the second slowest on the team)

I watched this event with my in-laws. It was quite interesting. The race immediately before this was the women's 400m freestyle. Coming down the last length of the pool, the American had more than a full body length lead. A British woman closed the distance, and took first. No comment from my in-laws other than "I can't believe she lost that." But when the men closed about a half - 3/4 body length in the last length, "Did you see that??!! That was amazing! He gained over a half a body length in a single run!"

I just don't get it. Why was that amazing, but the women's event immediately before it was not?

And about the 4x100... Sure, the American TEAM (note, team, not phelps... team) won the event, why not talk about the event in general?
There were 8 teams in the pool. Every single team beat the Olympic Record time. 6 of the 8 teams beat the world record time! Why is the only thing that you hear about is that "Phelps won the 4x100" ??

08-12-2008, 12:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doku Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Central MD Posts: 385	I think the issue here is the masses of Americans that are on the Phelps bandwagon. (even though his time was the second slowest on the team) I watched this event with my in-laws. It was quite interesting. The race immediately before this was the women's 400m freestyle. Coming down the last length of the pool, the American had more than a full body length lead. A British woman closed the distance, and took first. No comment from my in-laws other than "I can't believe she lost that." But when the men closed about a half - 3/4 body length in the last length, "Did you see that??!! That was amazing! He gained over a half a body length in a single run!" I just don't get it. Why was that amazing, but the women's event immediately before it was not? And about the 4x100... Sure, the American TEAM (note, team, not phelps... team) won the event, why not talk about the event in general? There were 8 teams in the pool. Every single team beat the Olympic Record time. 6 of the 8 teams beat the world record time! Why is the only thing that you hear about is that "Phelps won the 4x100" ??