Does Michael Phelps deserve all the praise he is getting?

Question

Oh, I'm not saying he doesn't deserve any, he is an amazing athlete and his performances are nothing sort of phenomenal. But I'm speaking of Media praise such as with the Relay Races coverage: In all the ones I've watched Phelps was not the USA team member who finished the race thus winning it, yet every single time the Camera lost no time in zooming in to catch his reaction. Not even bothering to glance at any other team members faces. And there's also the broadcasters attitude towards it. I remember one of the reporters announcing the USA Relay win with "Phelps wins Gold again...with a little help from his friends." Again, I'm not questioning the fact that Phelps is one of the greatest Olympians ever, but does the praise of him have to downplay his teammates on the merit they deserve just as much?

Answer 1

Even if you don't like Phelps, with 4 golds and 4 world records you have to give him credit for what he is doing.  He still has 4 more medels to collect too.  

Answer 2

Yes. I love Michael!

Answer 3

yess!!

i lovveeee micheal phelps and he works relle hard when he trains

he has more gold medals than any one else ever!!!

go micheal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

can you do what he does?

Answer 5

i sort of think he  does but i also think its  not  fair that swimming has  so many competitions, makes it  real easy for one athlete to rake in the  gold. i feel like there  should be just one  gold for swimming. haba na only phelps dey this olimpics?

Answer 6

Not only That,it will be many years to come someone able to breaks his records,he probably programned his mind to kill,just like Mike tyson,their competitors were just as fit as them,wish him all the bests.mega bucks waiting for him.

Answer 7

I think so. He is an amazingly athlete. Yeah he had his DUI problem a few years ago, but followed all the terms of his probation. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Answer 8

he sure does

Answer 9

Absolutely!

He's doing something that's totally insane and has never been done before.

Not only has he won more Olympic medals and more Olympic gold medals than anyone in history but there are 4-6 other races that he could have won had they stretched the swim venue out over two weeks instead of one to give him more recovery.

The following events he is a past US National champion with three of them American Records and one a past World Record holder: 100 Free, 1500 Free, 100 Back, 200 Back.

He qualified for EVERY SINGLE event for the US Olympic Trials (13 in all)  This is simply unheard of for one athlete. Can you imagine doing that in Track and Field? (Okay so the gymnasts do it but each of their disciplines complement each other so that's not unusual)

You will not see another swimmer like Michael Phelps, or maybe even another athlete, in your lifetime. You are witnessing history every time he takes to the pool.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy!