Michael Phelps greatest ever?

[Ferdelious]

We all know that Michael Phelps is the greatest and most decorated Olympian of all time. But could you make the argument that he is one of if not the greatest athlete ever? His statics are staggering, I'm not sure anyone has ever dominated their sport like he has. He has set himself up to win 6 more gold medals in Rio, that would make 24 gold for his career and 28 total medals. At 31 he is swimming against much younger fresher athletes that usually only compete in 1 or 2 events. He has multiple swims a day going all out in finals only to get back in the pool for another event hours or even minutes later. The most impressive stat to me is on the biggest stage in 28 Olympic events he has only missed the podium twice and he was 5th place at 15 years old for one of those and took 4th the other. And he is not just good at one discipline, he is great in all of them.

Curious to see what others think. Maybe you have to be an Olympics fan to really appreciate what he has done.

[Old Expat Beast]

Steve Redgrave is up there, the only man to win gold at five consecutive Olympics in an endurance sport.

[Rolex addict]

Definitely one of the greatest swimmers AND athletes, but it's hard to really say he is THE GREATEST of all time. Medal count isn't really a good measure either. Swimmers have chances for multiple medals where other events only have one (ie. Basketball, fencing, golf, volleyball, etc). Not to take anything away from Phelps. He will go down in history as one of the all time greatest.

[RW16610]

One of the greatest, indeed! Although I'm not a competitive swimmer he's inspired me to be my best in the pool. Those YouTube videos from the coach showing his technique are also super helpful.

[MonBK]

Nah, the greatest is Ali, he said so himself.

[Runnin' Rebel]

The man is a beast. 2nd to his Olympic Medals might be how he rose up from some personal issues he had over the last few years, maybe first to the medals actually. Quite a story.

Started his namesake foundation to help children live up to their healthier lifestyles. I bet he comes back next summer Olympics in Tokyo and grabs another gold. His breast stroke and flip turn off the wall is unbelievable.

The last race I saw was a 200 meter medley was just nuts. (Gold) I believe 30 mins after that he had a preliminary and came in 2nd. Just unreal, he's so powerful.

[texex91]

He's pretty amazing.

[Etschell]

yes.

he dominates the sport and had the biggest target on his back since 2008. you'll never see another michael phelps ever. to win 22 gold medals in swimming is beyond fathomable.

[SemperFi]

You could certainly make a strong case for it Matt. In either case, enjoy his last few races because you'll never see another swimmer like him, ever.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Definitely one of the greatest swimmers AND athletes, but it's hard to really say he is THE GREATEST of all time. Medal count isn't really a good measure either. Swimmers have chances for multiple medals where other events only have one (ie. Basketball, fencing, golf, volleyball, etc). Not to take anything away from Phelps. He will go down in history as one of the all time greatest.

i dont consider sports like bball and golf to be on the same level. winning either of those in the olympics is below winning an nba title or a major on tour.

[daveathall]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Steve Redgrave is up there, the only man to win gold at five consecutive Olympics in an endurance sport.

Seconded.

[Rolex addict]

Originally Posted by Etschell

i dont consider sports like bball and golf to be on the same level. winning either of those in the olympics is below winning an nba title or a major on tour.

I agree with your comment, but think you misunderstood mine. I was simply using those few sports (as there are many more that could be listed) for medal counts. Even if the PGA tour's top ten played at the Olympics, there would be only one chance per Olympics for a single medal. Swimmers get opportunities for multiple medals.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

I agree with your comment, but think you misunderstood mine. I was simply using those few sports (as there are many more that could be listed) for medal counts. Even if the PGA tour's top ten played at the Olympics, there would be only one chance per Olympics for a single medal. Swimmers get opportunities for multiple medals.

oh i know they have less opportunities.

even with all those opportunities name me another swimmer who has won 22 olympic gold medals.

jenny thompson had 8 over 12 years. lochte has 6.

in non relay events he has 13, next closest male is 2.

[Lefty-P]

Greatest Olympian of all time.


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[cda555]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Definitely one of the greatest swimmers AND athletes, but it's hard to really say he is THE GREATEST of all time. Medal count isn't really a good measure either. Swimmers have chances for multiple medals where other events only have one (ie. Basketball, fencing, golf, volleyball, etc). Not to take anything away from Phelps. He will go down in history as one of the all time greatest.

I agree that swimmers have more opportunity for medals, but there aren't any other swimmers even close to his count. Mark Spitz is the closest, with 9 gold and 11 total. I think it will be a LONG time before someone can come along and challenge his status. Part of that is his physiology. He is 6'4" but has the wingspan of a person who is 6'7". His ankles can flex more than a ballet dancer's. Combine that with his massive feet and he has full blown flippers.

[HL65]

Best ever IMHO with 22 golds - hard to imagine more dominant than him.

[HERITAGE82]

Originally Posted by HL65

Best ever IMHO with 22 golds - hard to imagine more dominant than him.

x 2... There may never be another athlete to dominate for as long as he has ever again!

[T. Ferguson]

Phelps is certainly in the discussion of greatest athlete of all time. No question. The thing that makes him special is his ability to rise to the occasion, under pressure, in the clutch. He has won races on the biggest stage from behind, sometimes by 100ths. He somehow has the uncanny will to touch first, even this year at age 31 when clearly he isn't as dominating as in the past.

For pure dominance on the big stage though, I've never seen anything like Secretariat.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Phelps is certainly in the discussion of greatest athlete of all time. No question. The thing that makes him special is his ability to rise to the occasion, under pressure, in the clutch. He has won races on the biggest stage from behind, sometimes by 100ths. He somehow has the uncanny will to touch first, even this year at age 31 when clearly he isn't as dominating as in the past.

For pure dominance on the big stage though, I've never seen anything like Secretariat.

american pharaoh

[Lordofrolex]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Definitely one of the greatest swimmers AND athletes, but it's hard to really say he is THE GREATEST of all time. Medal count isn't really a good measure either. Swimmers have chances for multiple medals where other events only have one (ie. Basketball, fencing, golf, volleyball, etc). Not to take anything away from Phelps. He will go down in history as one of the all time greatest.

100% on the dot.

[TheBluePrince]

Up there of course. But I'd say as an Olympian Bolt will be above him if he gets his 3 x 3 completed at Rio.

[SemperFi]

Originally Posted by TheBluePrince

Up there of course. But I'd say as an Olympian Bolt will be above him if he gets his 3 x 3 completed at Rio.

If he wins all three then he has a total of nine if my math is correct. I don't see how that compares to 22 and counting. Not even close in my book.

[Rolex addict]

Ok, let me try this one more time. The OP didn't say "greatest swimmer" ever. It was "greatest athlete" ever. In my opinion, Phelps IS the greatest swimmer. However, if you're going argue "greatest athlete" ever, it's going to take a lot more criteria than medal count.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Ok, let me try this one more time. The OP didn't say "greatest swimmer" ever. It was "greatest athlete" ever. In my opinion, Phelps IS the greatest swimmer. However, if you're going argue "greatest athlete" ever, it's going to take a lot more criteria than medal count.

you could make the argument. it is subjective.

most would argue bruce jenner, jim thorpe, michael jordan or jim brown (carl lewis if he hadnt done steroids).

[Ferdelious]

Originally Posted by Rolex addict

Ok, let me try this one more time. The OP didn't say "greatest swimmer" ever. It was "greatest athlete" ever. In my opinion, Phelps IS the greatest swimmer. However, if you're going argue "greatest athlete" ever, it's going to take a lot more criteria than medal count.

Well there is obviously no question he is the greatest swimmer ever, that can't be debated. But IMO he has to be in the discussion of one of the greatest athletes of all time. His ability to perform when it counts is unmatched and his longevity is unheard of in his sport. I have a feeling he will be back in 4 years to bring home 1 more gold.

[Cru Jones]

Greatest swimmer? Yes. Greatest athlete? Far from it.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Greatest swimmer? Yes. Greatest athlete? Far from it.

X 2 !

Daily Thompson perhaps

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[TheBluePrince]

Originally Posted by SemperFi

If he wins all three then he has a total of nine if my math is correct. I don't see how that compares to 22 and counting. Not even close in my book.

I believe the challenge for Bolt is greater, and again, as already mentioned, Phelps has more events he can enter so comparing numbers is not the be all and end all.

[kilyung]

Originally Posted by Etschell

american pharaoh

You made me laugh out a mouthful of Woodford Reserve!!

[HorologyK]

Greatest ever.