I just finished watching Michael Phelps win his 8th Gold Medal at the XXIX Olympic Games. He came with a mission, executed with determination, supported by the strong efforts of his teammates and brought home the gold. Congratulations Michael, clearly the greatest Olympian Athlete to date – although with a 12,000 calorie a day diet I’d hate to see his food bill. In addition to Speedo’s million dollar bonus, I’m also thinking NBC needs to be chipping into the Phelps Phund (see how I cleverly used the Phelps spelling in a phonics play on words – sometimes I crack myself up) anyway… If it wasn’t for Phelps, I probably would not have been watching as many of the Olympic Games since I prefer the winter version. As an example, I ended up watching the entire women’s marathon tonight just so I wouldn’t miss Michael’s attempt. Okay Okay, I like running, but a play by play of a marathon is really not that exciting.
Oh, so far the US goat goes to Deana Kastor who quit the marathon due to an apparent injury — if she was hurt that bad before the race she should have relinquished to the alternate.. if she hurt herself during the race, then she probably wasn’t prepared since it was a slow start for the race. I reserve the right to change my mind once details come out, but Paula Radcliffe at least showed the Olympic spirit and finished the race under serious pain (although she also gave up the last time). (note I said US goat because the overall goat is the Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian who threw a hissy fit at the medals ceremony and ended up leaving his bronze medal on the mat. Luckily the IOC did the right thing and stripped him of the medal … dignity in defeat is as important as humility in victory. In contrast I give kudos to Tyson Gay who when interviewed about his loss in the semifinals of his race said he was at 100% (had a hamstring injury) and made no excuses beyond not delivering.
Hats Off!… let the endorsements kick into h$gh gear.
Life Intrigued 