Might as Well Ask: Usain Bolt > Michael Phelps?
Olympics August 20th. 2008, 2:45pm
The thought of Bolt > Phelps had begun to cross our mind after watching this domination, and then this email cemented the post:
Interesting… Usain Bolt has now done something that NO ONE has ever done, broke the World Records in both the 100 and 200 at the Olympics. Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens, two of the names regularly tossed into the “Phelps is God” debate, didn’t even do that.
No one had even won those two events in the same Games since Lewis in 84, which kind of astonishes me.
If Bolt was American, how much do you want to bet he’d be dominating Olympic headlines instead of Shawn Johnson, the girl who finally won a gold, or the Redeem Team, or Walsh-May, the list goes on. Where are all the NBC analysts, the Jemelle Hill’s and the other pundits who have crowned Phelps the greatest ever. I think in terms of what is remarkable, his Olympic feat was just matched.
And oh yeah, Bolt didn’t need a special space suit to break all his records.
And … go.
We’re still pissed that Canadians got to watch the race live and we had to settle for the online version. NBC is a terrible network. And they are the assclowns that gave up on Friday Night Lights, too.
123 Responses to “Might as Well Ask: Usain Bolt > Michael Phelps?”
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August 20th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Already discussed in the morning thread.
Phelps>Bolt because he competes in multiple events. If Bolt did hurdles or long jump then there’s a discussion.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
If I’m over-nighting a package cross country…
Bolt > Phelps
If I’m over-nighting a trans-Atlantic…
Phelps > Bolt
August 20th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Maybe.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Bolt vs Phelps: WHO’S NOW?
/WWL’d
August 20th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Since they compete in two completely different sports any comparison is stupid.
/in a crabby mood today
August 20th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I’m pretty sure an American news organization has no responsibility to give the same coverage and hype to foreign athletes in the Olympics, no matter how good they are. This is like a regional sports station, who covers the local teams. This is like being surprised that the Eagles get all the coverage on Comcast SportsNet in Philly.
That being said, they should’ve had this race live, but that had nothing to do with Bolt being Jamaican and everything to do with their stupid primetime guidelines.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Everyone watch out for Sportsgal on this one, she already unleashed the fury on me this morning
August 20th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
7 world records > 2 world records
it’s simple math
August 20th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Bolt’s records and accomplishments just seem much more universal. There is very few places that you could be born that astonishing running speed would not be discovered and nurtured. US, China, Mongolia, Togo, dosn’t matter. Chances are you would be found. Being able to swim the butterfly? There are far fewer places in the world where you would even have a chance to be noticed, much less groomed properly.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
+1 ill
/can I give out points?
August 20th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Which one would Amanda Beard sleep with?
August 20th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Can we compare people who are in the same sport?
August 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Apples and Oranges. I haven’t quite figured out how to compare the divergent sports. The sand volleyball chicks haven’t lost in 150 some matches. Phelps. Bolt. The female softball pitchers (3 no hitters, 1 unearned run). So, I just give up, say Apples and Oranges, and will go grab a peach.
However, I have no doubt after watching the 200 and 100 races that this cat would win 8 gold medals if he had the opportunity to participate in 8 events. I mean, if comparing the number of Gold medals is what is holding up folks recognizing this guy is a Freak like we haven’t seen before.
“NBC is a terrible network. And they are the assclowns that gave up on Friday Night Lights, too.”
They also gave us Friends, Fraiser, and NFL Sunday Night Football in America Tonight Football’s pregame disaster. And they are a bunch of Pinkos. Don’t forget that. Commiebastids. I feel your hatred, TBL.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Let’s get this guy on the Pole Vault.
August 20th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
point
August 20th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
what bolt did was amazing but setting 7 world records and getting 8 gold medals is better than 2 and 2.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Phelps got a DUI when he came to visit some friends at Salisbury U. during my senior year of college. The same judge wasn’t as kind to me when I went in front of him.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
sorry, but most sprinters run the 100 and 200. bolt’s obviously great at both, but the technique to do each is essentially the same. phelps had to master 4 different strokes, and also be better than people that concentrated on only one of those strokes in a few of those races.
phelps>bolt.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
I think the only reason this discussion is even valid is the fact that Bolt has only been running internation competitions for a couple years. That makes what he did extremely impressive, but doesn’t overcome the versatility the Phelps has shown.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
And Seinfeld, The Office, SNL, Cheers, Night Court, The Cosby Show, 30 Rock
August 20th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
There is very few places that you could be born that astonishing running speed would not be discovered and nurtured. US, China, Mongolia, Togo, dosn’t matter.
True, but if you’re fast in the US, you play football–you don’t run track. Elsewhere, you play soccer–you don’t run track. There is a reason Jamaica is doing so well even though the country’s population equals that of St. Louis.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Why do I keep hitting bold instead of quote? I swear those buttons switched places.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Don’t forget about Saved By The Bell
August 20th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
+1 to ill
also when do I find out what performance enhancers bolt is using?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Triston –
I’ll give you that, but it is much easier to hate than to love.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
will NBC find Carl Lewis to talk about Bolt the way it has Mark Spitz on speed dial to talk about Phelps?
Will Bolt’s mom be trotted out to do a segment on GMA?
just curious.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
same time we get Phelps’ tests back, hopefully.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
nbc is also obama’s biggest cheerleader.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
It’s hard to interview people you don’t understand. And Phelps was a huge story before the Olympics so there was the whole “build-up”.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
You’ll have to ask the JBC (Jamaican Broadcasting Company), They ARE televising the Olympics for THEIR country right?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I am not sure I am understanding this versatility thing. First off, I realize that the strokes are different and use different muscles and whatever, but the fact is that most of the skills and or talents that make you succesful in one make you succesful in others (lung capacity, body construction, starting and turning skills.) And he is world class in two of them, freestyle and butterfly which is impressive. But it is hardly unique. Hasn’t Natalie Coughlin won for two strokes?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Jamaica has a population of about 2.5 million. Besides Bolt, they swept the women’s 100. And although they did not compete for Jamaica, Ben Johnson, Linford Christie, and Donovan Bailey all hail from Jamaica. They have quite a tradition, and a lot of emphasis is placed on running events at even the elementary school level.
Bolt > Phelps
August 20th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
probably because you’re a douche bag.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
TBL – NBC isn’t going to have as much coverage on Bolt as Phelps because Phelps is American. Triston hit it on the head.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Um you do realize Phelps has been tested every single day from qualifying through the Olympics to his last race right? He’s also part of this new testing where they store your samples and can check later on when they have more conclusive tests. I don’t think you’re going to find a cleaner athlete.
TBL doesn’t care about white people
August 20th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Stop being weird TBL. You calling NBC racist or something? It’s NBC. The National Broadcasting Company. National meaning American. Don’t expect to see the Chinese gymnasts on the Today show.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
only better if we see him in the winter olympics…wait for it…bobsledding
August 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Bolt.
Butterflies are gay.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Seriously Triston. A lot of FREEDOM HATERS.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
This question is just silly. Phelps by 200m.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
The real question, why does Phelps’ face look like it’s constantly stuck in the process of making some kind of ape face?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
we have discussed Phelps look before. He is Telly from KIDS.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Luckily there are some intelligent people in here making my Phelps > Bolt point for me so I don’t have to unleash the SG wrath.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
If you watch the USA Olympic Team on a USA Cable feed, you cant be upset when the USA Olympic team is broadcast.
/
said it earlier
August 20th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
from tim keown’s the list and other folks have mentioned it as well.
also, there is the new pool and new suits in this year’s swimming that have improved times. not sure about track improvements.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Also kind of reminds me of Jim Carrey in Cable Guy, with his jaw stuck out all crazy.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Tim Keown’s a moron. I’m pretty sure Phelps doesn’t swim backwards. There are several track and field events, not just two.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Bolt is doing all this while wearing Pumas. Eat it Nike!
August 20th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
I’m watching Michael Johnson on TV talking about Bolt. He says Bolt should try to lower the 100m to a point where it won’t be touch for who knows how many years, and then train to take down the 400m records. That makes sense.
And to those that said that Phelps>Bolt because he has gold in 8 events… it’s a lot easier for a swimmer to switch between styles and distances than for a runner. Besides the 100 and the 200, the only event Bolt could add is the 400. Just watch who’s running the 800 or the 1500 and you’ll see they are a completely different type of athlete.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
ah, didn’t think of that one. He also looks and sounds like my friend Ted. You don’t know Ted, but if you did, you would wish you didn’t.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
we should be comparing Bolt to Carl Lewis/Jesse Owens and Michael Phelps to Mark Spitz/ Matt Biondi.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
new pool? did they reinvent water? what is this new pool?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
sorry, but most sprinters run the 100 and 200. bolt’s obviously great at both, but the technique to do each is essentially the same. phelps had to master 4 different strokes, and also be better than people that concentrated on only one of those strokes in a few of those races. Talk to any sprinter and they’ll tell you how false this is. Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis, and Bolt. That’s your list of people who have won Gold in both, that’s it.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
He could do hurdles. And at 6-5 he shouldn’t have that big a problem.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
@lacagada – not necessarily true, there are a lot of other events that sprinters have competed in. Carl Lewis won a few golds in long jump, and many sprinters also run the hurdles.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
If its so easy for swimmers to be the best at multiple strokes, why isn’t there a Phelps every year? Weak argument.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Phelps and Spitz. That’s your list of people who have won Gold in all sevenm, that’s it.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Biondi? Great swimmer, but not in that discussion.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
We should be comparing Brady Quinn to Greg Logaounis
August 20th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Maybe start the 100 meter back pedal?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
huh? what? you know why Brandon Hansen swims breastroke? because he sucks at every other stroke. i am about to punt my monitor after reading that statement.
it is no easier for a swimmer to swim the 200 free and the 1500 free, than it is for a runner to run the 200 and run the 1 mile.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
also not sure what we are comparing when having the phelps or bolt greater comment. are we comparing who had a better olympics in terms of more impressive performance? are we comparing who is the better athlete? are we discussing who has the better chance at landing erin andrews?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
Why can’t we just say that both are absolutely awesome and leave it at that? Bottom line is you put the whole world up against bolt in short races and he wins. You line up the whole world in the pool next to phelps and he wins. My life must be too simple minded.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
So glad many of you wise posters are making the Phelps>Bolt argument.
Bolt’s been great. Phelps has been otherwordly. Get over it.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Never heard of either.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
The running/ swimming argument is so stupid…you can’t compare. And anyone who thinks running is running…tell me why the winner of the 100 doesn’t race the 800 and vice versa…could Bolt also win the Marathon? I don’t see Phelps doing the 1500m did I? Both are sprinters and Phelps had a chance to perform in a few more events than Bolt will. Don’t count Gold count achievement. As for overall Olympic greatness in Track and Field…Bolt needs to do it again in 4 years to get into the conversation of greatest sprinter,
August 20th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Oh yeah. Who wrote this piece that TBL quoted in this post?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Whether Phelps is doing the butterfly, freestyle, or whatever he is still just swimming. Stating that Bolt should have to do the hurdles would be similar to saying that Phelps should have to perform in the Diving or play Water Polo.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
I can’t stop picturing a backwards running race… the more I picture it, the more I want this to be an olympic event.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
If we can’t compare Phelps to Bolt, then we should never ever have another argument about Tiger fucking Woods being the greatest athlete ever.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
That may be up there for the worst sentence I have ever written…Don’t use Gold Medal count to measure achievement
August 20th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I believe that Janet Evans broke the WR in the 400, 800, and 1500 in the same year. Matt Biondi won medals (2 golds and 1 bronze) in three different distances in the same stroke in one olympics as well as a silver in a different stroke. History shows that it is indeed easier to become a champion at multiple medal opportunities in swimming than sprinting
August 20th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Hey sportsgal’s is catching on the only thing they can all be compared on is how dominant they are in their sports…no way of knowing who is better
August 20th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Maybe because….I dont know…Bolt is Jamacian. Phelps stories, and his Mom and sisters and all that was part of the build up to the games.
I’ve seen plenty of shots of sprinters families during their races. They kept showing Lolo Jones’ family reaction when she tripped and lost her race
August 20th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Because buddy this is america and we demand a clear winner in any debate when it comes to sports. Doesn’t matter if we’re trying to compare a land base even with a water base even.
American Football > Rugby
August 20th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
the 400m is no longer a sprint in swimming. the 50m 100m and 200m in swimming is the equivalent to 100m, 200m and 400m in track.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
The 400, 800, and 1500 are all distance events bud.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Somebody jacked my “t’s” from my post.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Here’s one thing that should be unanimous… CBC > NBC.
(and Bolt > Phelps, btw)
August 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
@RWH – I think this:
tops this:
August 20th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
What I wanna know is, why NBC isn’t giving the Uzbekistan elections the same hype and attention as the American election?? HMmmmmmmm?????
August 20th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Wait, wait, wait… I have the only correct answer to this question: comparing athletes from different sports is a complete waste of time and inherently stupid.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
the 400m is no longer a sprint in swimming. the 50m 100m and 200m in swimming is the equivalent to 100m, 200m and 400m in track.
And people win multiples of them all the time
August 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Can Bolt Swim?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Okay then:
Phelps > Bolt
Mandy Moore > Brittney Spears
Cheetos > Doritos
and
Swimming > Track and Field
There. Clear cut, my word is Americas word. Print the list. Clear and cut.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Multiple orgasms > Multiple gold medals.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Miz..leave me alone…I am trying to do this during a meeting…poorly written contradictory sentences are a reflection of the garbage I am listening too.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I have the only correct answer to this question: comparing athletes from different sports is a complete waste of time and inherently stupid.
That’s just, like, your opinion… man.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Gonzo, you get a free hallway pass for that golden comparison. Well done.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Aren’t there relays in track? Bolt could do that couldn’t he?
August 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
maxwell-please show me who has done that in mens and womens swimming recently(50, 100 and 200?
August 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Has the 50, 100 and 200 ever been done?
August 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
maxwell-please show me who has done that in mens and womens swimming recently(50, 100 and 200?
Well, in Sydney Peter Van den Hoogenband won the 100 and 200 and won the bronze int he 50. In 2004 in Athens Thorpe won the non-sprint 400, the sprint 200 and came in third in the 100. In Atlanta Daniel Kowalski medaled in the 200, 400, and 1500. In Barcelona 2 russians split the golds in the 4 shortest distances with 2 a piece. The aformentioned Biondi in Seoul. It happens all the time as opposed to the 100, 200, 400 combos which are very rare events.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
So it hasn’t been done then? OK good.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
The point is simply that even winning a bronze in the three sprint distances has never been accomplished, but in swimming, just int he men, it has happened like 5 of the last 6 olympics.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
They’re both absolute fucking freaks.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Since when is the 400 a sprint in track?
August 20th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
we all have ran, we all know what it feels like to run a sprint and run a mile. we can at least get an idea of that. not everyone has been a swimmer that has had to sprint, then also swim 30 laps. so try to not compare the 50 free to the 400 or even the 200. seriously.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
fetch-you don’t think it is?i mean one could argue that the 200m in swimming really isn’t. but in comparison to the way you race a 400m it is.
i think one could argue the 400 is a sprint in track. no?
August 20th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I am pretty sure the 400m is considered the last track sprint.
@sparty – not sure if that is directed at me, but I defintiely don’t understand if it is.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Whoa…Cheetos > Doritos? Hell to the no. Cool Ranch is a superior chip in every single way.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I figure since you don’t go all out the whole way on the 400 it isn’t but I suppose that’s debatable.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
All you got to look at is the body types required in the different Sports. A swimmer is a swimmer….You can either swim fast or you cant….You can either swim long distances or you can’t.
Some guys have the ability to develop Speed and Stamina. If you got the Speed you just got to work on the Stamina and vice versa.
In Track it’s different. You can’t do both because one negatively affects the other because the BODY reacts and shapes itself for each accordingly.
So if the Body itself reacts what does that tell you? Track > Swimming. Simple.
Three relays are run in Track….4 in swimming. Tons of variations in swimming and all pretty much done by the same individuals. What does that tell you.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
maxwell-my point is that unless you have swam competitively you cannot make the comparison.
at one point, we have all run competitively, be it track, on our football teams, even gym class.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
so why hasn’t anyone attempted to win the 50 and 1500 in the same meet?
August 20th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
dont forget running from the police
August 20th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Sparty – the comparison I am making is simply that there is a relatively large number of swimmers who win medals, and gold ones, at different distances. There are relativley few who do that on the track. Whether that is because it is more difficult to do running than swimming or because there are more people running than swimming and thus tougher competition at each distance, I do not know. But to say that winning the 100 and 200 on the track is the same as winning the 100 and 200 in the pool is not backed up by historical results.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I dunno…maybe because they have so many damn events that they compete in? Duh? Is’nt that the point? The same people competing in the same events…..You got to draw the line somewhere.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I would like to know if Phelps has any cordination. Does he look like Carl Lewis throwing out the first pitch? That sight ended his chances as best ever olympic athlete. Can Phelps run a 12.0 100m or does he look like Dirk Nowitzki bumbling down the court? They are all accomplished athletes with very specific skills. The true athletes are the decathaletes.
Phelps will disappear by the opening of college and pro football. Gymnastics is a fraud, X games are not olympic sports, shooting is a hobby and Denver is being invaded by tens of thousands of freakish liberals for the next week. Off to my safehaven in the Rocky Mountains.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
while Bolt is sick I think the 400 is more of a true test of a runner. Having grown up around track I can say with certainty that the 400 is the man’s race in track.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Denver, good idea. Stay West of Golden for the next few days.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
PS. Be careful when boarding an MD-80 for any airline. God Bless the lost souls in Spain today and remember that NWA and American are the main flyers of a “somewhat dangerous” aircraft. Safe travels to all.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
you need to compare the 50 and 100 in swimming to the 100 and the 200. that has been done 3x so far since 88, but not since 96.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
but not everyone is swimming a Phelps like program. you could just swim the 50 and the 1500. oh wait, no you can’t! because the training is completely different.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Bolt’s records and accomplishments just seem much more universal. There is very few places that you could be born that astonishing running speed would not be discovered and nurtured. US, China, Mongolia, Togo, dosn’t matter. Chances are you would be found. Being able to swim the butterfly? There are far fewer places in the world where you would even have a chance to be noticed, much less groomed properly.
this is essentially the winning arguement for me. Everybody in the world has raced a sprint, when you are kids you line up and run to the mail box to see who is the fastest. There are some places in the world where people have no chance to swim, therefore the swimming gold medalist is competing against a smaller pool of people. Plus there are very few (if any) black swimmers that I have noticed, which supports the point I am trying to make.
Bolt > Phelps
August 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Yeah…..and tiring considering all the time you need to spend training and allt he events most of them already participate in……But not because it affect their body type. What’s so difficult to understand about that?
August 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
This just in: Winning 2 races is better than winning 7
August 20th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
8, excuse me.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
If we were to go back and check……I wonder how many different winners and different Nations have won at each swimming and Track events in question in the Olympics.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
If you want to win the 400, you’re going all out the entire way. It’s definetly a sprint, and one of the most underrated races in track & field.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
err, “definitely”
August 20th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
The 400 is THE test of a complete runner. Endurance and speed. It’s a man’s race. But, having run a couple, I can tell you there is no freaking way I would ever have run the 400 hurdles. Those guys are in another whole class.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:08 am
I kind of agree with OhJay. The Hurdles runners are incredible. I’m a little bias cus I ran hurdles in junior high. But the hardest thing I ever did was the 300m hurdles (they were a little easier on us). Incredibly taxing.
Having tried the hurdles myself, I can’t believe how they run the 110m hurdles in the Olympics. That takes tons of practice, techniche and ability to be that good.
On Bolt vs. Phelps. I think what Phelps did was more impressive. But Bolt’s talent is obvsiously more visually impressive. I’d much rather watch Bolt run than Phelps swim, but I think most people may say that. But, Phelps’ Olympics is maybe the most impressive individual Olympics of all time.