To those admiring Phelps + various wannabes: do you realize, its a very hard work for only few days of fame?

Question

The real thing is, within couple of months, nobody will talk about Michael Phelps. Actually the similar case as Ian Thorpe last Olympics. Athletes are only celebs, when something happens. Michael himself realizes this. Euphoria shall be over soon, - unfortunately ?. If you want to start in London 2012, its probably too late to train.

Answer 1

for aussie athletes, the cash they get from these things helps them live. we are getting screwed when it comes to being paid athletes. most of them drive the most oldest, ugliest, noisiest cars and live with other athletes and struggle to live. why do you think some of our best NRL players have gone overseas???

Answer 2

Phelps has several million dollars of commercial contracts already signed and "in his pocket."  His promotional worth has appreciated significantly secondary to the 8 medals in China.  He is set for life.  Not so fleeting fame.   There are other winners who will and have cashed in from Beijing 2008.  Check it out, kid!!

Answer 3

I don't think most athletes do it for Fame.  They are not in it to become celebrities.  What have you not accomplished in your life that you want to so easily dismiss someone else's accomplishments?

Answer 4

I am not a Phelps admirer although I think he did great. I don't think athletes started training because they think they are going to make money out of it. They started it because they love it, they just happened to be good and start competing.

Answer 5

He's getting 40 million in endorsements, I don't think he cares if anyone is talking about him in six months.

Answer 6

You're so right, getting on big brother is easier and it lasts longer. These "athletes" are fools.

Answer 7

Mark Spitz has been a World sporting legend for 36 years.

Phelps will still be talked about long after we all are dead.

He is more famous world wide than any US footballer or baseballer.

They get no press outside North America.

Only Tiger Woods would be more famous than Phelps.