What does everyone think of Michael Phelps' accomplishments?

Question

What does everyone think of Michael Phelps' accomplishments?

Answer 1

I think that phelps is a beast.

and I'm not gonna say he's the best Olympian in the world, but he has done awesome

Answer 2

I think he did a great job at the swimming events, but I do feel he was focused on a bit too heavily in the NBC coverage.  There were quite a few other athletes that had little or no coverage, but their activities are no less impressive.

** Edit **

I agree with Davthebest on Phelp's status as "the greatest Olympian".  While what he did was impressive, he did participate in multiple events all doing basically the same thing.  If you added 3 parallel bar events (the 2 minute, 4 minute, and 6 minute), 10 different floor gymnastic routines, a couple more volley ball options ("wally ball", 2, 3, 4, 5 man teams, etc...), etc..., would those athletes be able to win as many gold medals?  How many athletes had as many events to compete in where they could focus on essentially a athletic ability in order to win that many medals?  Track is probably the closest event.

Answer 3

i think he is amazing!

he worked hard for EVERYTHING.

he is humble and kind too.

he is talented and gifted.

he is a wonderful guy!

Answer 4

I think it's pretty amazing but then again he is one heck of a spotlight hogger to be perfectly honest.

You'd have to live or go to school in a relatively small town called Seymour, CT to know this story. It was the 2004 US Olympic trials and a kid from Seymour named Ben Michaelson was seeded second in the 100m butterfly behind Ian Crocker. To qualify for the Olympics you had to get first or second but third wouldn't cut it. So Phelps had already qualified for the 100m free, the 200m free and some relays but then all of a sudden he decided to enter into the 100m fly. Phelps, of course, got first, Crocker got second and Michaelson got third and it was the only event Michaelson was in. There's plenty more stories like this one but I won't go into all of them just for time's sake here. But even with that said I can't think of another town, village or city in all America that hates Phelps more than Seymour CT.

Answer 5

I think he is amazing. It takes a lot of heart and commitment to be able to do what he has done. I am proud of him.

Answer 6

people who call him the greatest olympian ever are wrong. He's the greatest gold medallist ever yes, but the greatest olympian must be Sir Steve Redgrave, who remained on top of his sport (rowing) for at least 16 years (5 olympics). If there were as many rowing races as swimming races Redgrave would have far more than Phelps.