Swimming WC (great day for Americans)

[HigherGround]

4 golds 1 silver today, 3 world records, yet our media doesn't seem to care *sigh*. I guess we have to, yet again, wait for the Olympic Games to get ourselves excited. At least I live in Europe ATM, so I got to watch it live

results

 

[Double Trouble]

Clearly impressive and great achievements for those athletes, but lets face it. The reason the media doesn't pay a lot of attention is that nobody cares. I don't care about swimming unless it's in the context of the olympics. I'm sure there are some who do, but the vast majority of people don't care about swimming, just like they don't care about javelin throwing etc etc, not until the olympics come along and it means something in terms of national pride.

 

[HigherGround]

Originally posted by: tagej
Clearly impressive and great achievements for those athletes, but lets face it. The reason the media doesn't pay a lot of attention is that nobody cares. I don't care about swimming unless it's in the context of the olympics. I'm sure there are some who do, but the vast majority of people don't care about swimming, just like they don't care about javelin throwing etc etc, not until the olympics come along and it means something in terms of national pride.

That's exactly my point. We expect nothing, but the best from these athletes come Olympic Games, yet for 3 years and 11 months we completely ignore their individual achievements, even during major events like World Championships. I honestly believe we are being completely unfair to those athletes. To put it in a perspective, Phelps' WC made front page news on many European news portals, yet it's pretty much a no show on US sites.

 

[Double Trouble]

Of course it made the papers in Europe, they care more about those sports than the folks in the US. Just like cycling, motorcycle racing, F1 etc. Different strokes.

And no, we're not being "unfair" to those athletes. I don't care about their sports unless it's in the context of something entertaining like the olympics. Just like I don't care about speedskating unless it's in the winter games. Now I have to change what sports I like to be "fair"?

I understand your point, but the bottom line is, the US public does not care about those sports, they care about the spectacle of the olympics. I find nothing unfair about that, the athletes are free to choose what they want to do in life. If they want fame and fortune in the US, they should do something different.

 

[HigherGround]

Originally posted by: tagej
Of course it made the papers in Europe, they care more about those sports than the folks in the US. Just like cycling, motorcycle racing, F1 etc. Different strokes.

And no, we're not being "unfair" to those athletes. I don't care about their sports unless it's in the context of something entertaining like the olympics. Just like I don't care about speedskating unless it's in the winter games. Now I have to change what sports I like to be "fair"?

I understand your point, but the bottom line is, the US public does not care about those sports, they care about the spectacle of the olympics. I find nothing unfair about that, the athletes are free to choose what they want to do in life. If they want fame and fortune in the US, they should do something different.

It's not about fame, it's more about scrutiny the media (and the public) puts on those athletes when they don't perform well during olympics (read: don't win a gold medal), even though they might had achieved spectacular success in other major non olympic events (case in point: Bode Miller). Nevertherless, I understand you completely and to be honest, if I stayed back home, I probably wouldn't have cared about those wins either. Anyway, I'm glad our men and women are stickin' it to the Aussies

 

[Uppsala9496]

Originally posted by: HigherGround

It's not about fame, it's more about scrutiny the media (and the public) puts on those athletes when they don't perform well during olympics (read: don't win a gold medal), even though they might had achieved spectacular success in other major non olympic events (case in point: Bode Miller). Nevertherless, I understand you completely and to be honest, if I stayed back home, I probably wouldn't have cared about those wins either. Anyway, I'm glad our men and women are stickin' it to the Aussies

Bode Miller is a terrible example. One of my friends (really cute swedish girl) was out partying with him during the olympics before one of his races. He didn't perform well because he was out until 4am tying to get in her pants. He didn't take the games serious, and his performances proved it.

 

[Double Trouble]

Uppsala9496, there'd better be a pic of said friend coming our way soon, or I motion for a ban!

HigherGround, true, the US public has come to expect nothing but the very best, because that's what they've become accustomed to getting. I'm sure most people have no idea the kind of effort and lifetime commitment it takes to reach world class level. I for one will be cheering for the athletes representing the country, and as long as they give it their best effort, I'm happy, regarless of gold/silver/broze/nothing.

 

[JayHu]

I'm impressed with Phelps' WR in the 200fr.
Also, I was impressed by Park taking the 400 fr. I've got a few friends down there competing now so I'm keeping a watchful eye

 

[otispunkmeyer]

phelps 200 free was just the best swim i have ever seen

he might of just destroyed the 200fly WR by over 1.5 seconds, but the way he just put hoogenband in his place at the 150m point was just magic

i was rooting for liam tancock in the 100m back, hes a good lad (goes to my uni, i swim in the same pool as him!) he put in some good showings in the heats and semi's but piersol was just too good in the end, going under 53seconds....the first man ever to do so, tancock could of got 2nd there but just got touched out.

once piersol retires, i think the 100back will be tancocks realm, if he can keep that insane 50m pace up for longer then i have a feeling that by 2012 tancock might be taking that 52.98 down a peg or two.

 

[timswim78]

I care.

But I was a college swimmer and am from Baltimore (Hoff's and Phelp's hometown).

 

[Kelemvor]

I watched this last night when it was on. I like swimming but was also a swimmer in High School and love being in the water. And Phelps is just nuts the way he can move in the water.

 

[Phokus]

Swimming WC (great day for Americans)

Probably because it's SWIMMING