BEIJING OLYMPICS... Which Olympian will be remembered most?

Question

I am basically eluding to... who dominated the olympics? Bolt or Phelps?

Bolt: Three races. Three wins. Three world records.

Phelps: Eight races. Eight wins. 7 world records.

I understand Americans will say Phelps, because Usain Bolt won't take home eight gold medals from these Olympics, the way Michael Phelps did. Simply because there weren't enough races.

Also, Bolt won't go down as winning any dramatic, neck-and-neck races, the way Phelps did. That's because his only competition was the clock.

Personally, it's a difficult to choose between 2 great athletes. However, Bolt stands more for me because he won a competition which any country could participate and compete, while Phelps competed with handful of the world's top swimmers (many countries have no swimming pools, let alone swimmers at Olympics level). But any country can throw their fastest 100m, and 200m runners into the competition... this to me, is where the greatest summer Olympians are born. That's why I feel Bolt certainly won't be overshadowed by anyone at these Beijing Games.

Would you agree?

Answer 1

I think Phelps will come up more because he has the world records in so many different events, so in each event he'll probably get a mention as holding the world record. He also won more gold medals than anyone else in a single Olympics, and after the next one will likely have more than any other person in history.

Bolt's name isn't going away, either. The world's fastest man is a coveted record, and as you mention, every country can field competitors in this event. His record will likely stand for a very long time and he will not soon be forgotten, either.

Answer 2

Michael Phelps of UNITED STATES with 8 gold medals.  

Answer 3

Phelps, he has won practically every race, more world records and golds by any olympian!

Bolt is lightning fast, but teh yare making a video abot Phelps.Both are amazing, but i vote Phelps  

Answer 4

Phelps was the story of the olympics even before they started and he fulfilled people's expectations.

However, when people talked about the speed trials, everybody mentioned either Powell or g*y first.

I my mind Phelps made history but Bolt stole the Thunder from him.

Answer 5

The underage gymnasts.

Answer 6

as world wide

it would be either bolts or phlelps

Answer 7

Actually every athlete should be remembered because they worked hard and they most importantly tried.

But as for now it's either Michael Phelps or Usian Bolt, both great athletes.

Answer 8

Michael Phelps

Answer 9

phelps.

and the 9 year old gymnasts

did anyone else hear the commentator for woman's diving say that the Chinese diver (the skinnier one, not the gold) weighed 65 pounds? then he said, this is a good sport for her, because she doesn't like eating. !!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

BOLT by the free thinkers.

PHELPS by the sheep.

Answer 11

The greater accomplishment is easily Usain Bolt's dominance in the track and field events. U made some points that I would agree with as far as some countries not having swimming competitors. Not only that, Phelps won six events back in 2004 and was heavily favored. Everyone expected him to win. In track and field, anything can happen. A hamstring could go, a cramp could come on, a false start, many different factors. What it really comes down to is the fact that Bolt broke a 12 year record that many thought was untouchable. And every country can compete in the track and field events.

     Its scary what the future can hold for Bolt. 21 years old and very raw. When he becomes a more polished runner, he will probably break the 200 record again. And we all know that his 100 time could have been better than what it was. He will be a hero back in Jamaica. And if focused, he will better Carl Lewis's medal count

Answer 12

Absolutely spot on Dr W. Kudos to you. Bolt annihilated the top 2 world records, one of them at a canter, the other regarded as unbeatable, all in a few days and with a smile on his face. Legendary stuff! And I haven't even commented on the relay gold and WR. He's up there with Jesse Owens.. Phelps? Won 8 golds in an elitess "sport". Meh. Only a tiny proportion of the world can use a swimming pool..EVERYONE can time themselves over 100m.

Answer 13

Alicia Sacramone. She is so hot!

But seriously I will have to say Phelps. He holds the most gold medals by any Olympian..  

Answer 14

Phelps

Answer 15

jade johnson

Answer 16

I was gonna say Phelps.

Defiantly at least Phelps for the first week, Bolt for the second.

But it looks like the gymnast scandal is gonna end up take the prize for this years games.

Answer 17

usain bolt

Answer 18

Phelps. 17 races in 8 days. Even if he had less competition that is an amazing test of endurance. He was also a great team player and congratulated his competitors while Bolt came off as cocky. Plus Phelps has the American media behind him so they will ensure that he is a star.

Answer 19

probly michael phelps because of all his gold medals

Answer 20

I think you should give yourself the 10 points, you've hit the nail on the head! Phelps will be remember more cos the scale of what he did is a bigger scale than Bolt's one. Phelps did something that people thought would never be done, i.e. win 8 swimming golds. And he didn't have it easy. Bolt did all he could do, which was win 3 golds and set 3 world records. Phelps is American, so he's easily one of America's all-time great sporting heroes, which usually gets more global attention than being one of Jamaica's all-time great sporting heroes. Whose performance was greater based on the number of events and the relative weight of what was done within each sport? We might never know. But it seems certain that PPhelpswill be remember more. Only the fact that running is a more accessible sport than swimming will ensure Bolt is also highly memorable, like Carl Lewis was. How many other great swimmers can you name?