IF (and I stress "IF") Phelps only manages 6 medals, who do you consider better?

Question

Spitz with more medals in one year when IMO the competition wasn't as tough

Or Phelps with more total golds overall with a more competitive class of swimmers.

Answer 1

I would consider Phelps the better swimmer, for the following reasons:

-- Spitz limited himself to only two strokes (fly and free). Phelps does them all.

-- Spitz only did two distances (100 and 200). Phelps covers 100, 200 and 400.

-- Maybe you don't consider this important, but Phelps is a nicer person, and will ultimately make a better ambassador for the sport. A friend of mine who swam w/ Spitz gets upset when people compare the two, because Spitz was a total jerk. Have you wondered why the media doesn't have Spitz on-air more often?

Answer 2

Spitz's feat will be considered 'better' for a single Olympic Games.

But Phelp's accomplishments make him the better swimmer. Don't get me wrong about Spitz because what he did in his career has not been matched (until tomorrow) but when an athlete qualifies for all 13 events of his sport for his country's Olympic Trials and would have a legitimate shot at winning 11 of them if his schedule would allow it (and make the finals in the last two) it goes beyond 'mind boggling'.

I'll also agree with you, up to a point, that the competition today is 'tougher' than in 1972 (especially internationally). But the technological advances in the sport have made the times so much faster. Technologically superior swim suits, turns, stroke techniques, rules, and last, but not least, coaching techniques.

Great question. It should stir up some great debates if there are older 'Spitz' fans listening out there.

Answer 3

I think Phelps would be much better compared to Spitz, because back then the competition wasn't as tough and competitive. Now that there are many more swimmers and they all have kicked it up quite a few notches I think Phelps is better than Spitz. I guess the only way to find out who is better is to compare the time for both of them.

Answer 4

I can't speak about Spitz because I didn't see him swim. From what I hear he was a great swimmer and his feats are still talked about. But for me Phelps is greater than any other swimmer. Well of course, he has every world record known.  Once he gets all the Golds he'll get he will be considered the greatest to ever swim in competition. If he only gets 6 medals, which I doubt, he will still be considered great because of his schedule.  If he doesn't get any medals the rest of the way, it's because of injury or dehydration.