Will anyone remember Michael Phelps in one month?

Question

Hear me out. He's the best swimmer in the world, and a great athlete, there's no doubt about it. But his sport is not famous enough for people to care about. People will start talking about Brett Favre and the NFL, and if Kobe can make it to the finals, and the NHL, and MLB, and so on. No one will care how he dominated swimming for these few weeks, but people still talk about how the Celtics beat the Lakers. In my opinion, saying Michael Phelps in the same sentence as Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods is ridiculous. He's an amazing athlete, but to say he's the best to ever live is just ridiculous. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Just because he doesn't play a mainstream sport and won't necessarily be talked about in a month, doesn't mean he isn't the most decorated athlete. It also doesn't take away from how much of an amazing young athlete he is. And you never know, his face may be popping up in advertisements for the next 5 years to come.

Answer 2

Yeah, I'm sure that we will be seeing him on PLENTY of endorsement deals.

I cannot speak of the Olympics without hearing his name!

Everyone knows Kobe and MJ because basketball is a HUGEEE sport worldwide.

Swimming isn't as highly publicized,

but Phelps is a great athlete, and I'm sure people will still be talking about his epic performances.

Plus, he looks lavishly handsome in the pool AND outside of it,

he just has that charm about him that people love :)

Answer 3

he'll be on wheaties for a while. Phelps is an athelete, jordan also, tiger should be considered an athelete right next to Professional bowlers or those who play badminton or ping pong.

Answer 4

h**l I can't go to the store without hearing something about Michael..He is one of the best in swimming point, he proved it. Why not mention him in the sentence as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods they're great at their sport. Now when I think of swimming I think Michael... just with basketball (Jordan) golf (Tiger) tennis (William sisters)...the list can go and go

Answer 5

I know I won't.  But his name will come up from time to time on Trivial Pursuit.

Answer 6

Outside the US Phelps is a superstar.

Before this Olympics he would have been 2nd to Tiger Woods as the US's greatest sportsman.

Now he would be slightly ahead of Woods.

US Footballers and Baseball players are unknown outside North America.

Answer 7

Perhaps the US needs to look outside itself a tad to realise that MIchael Phelps was already well known and talked about in many other countries.  Swimming is an obsession in many other countries - and you need to understand that Michael Phelps has not only "dominated swimming for these few weeks" but has been on the world stage for some time!

I'm an Australian, and I can easily name a number of international swimming superstars, not only from these olympics, but from many different Olympic and World championship years.  Perhaps you've heard of Mark Spitz?  He's a legend and he comes from the US - and last competed in the 1972 Olympics - he's the bloke whose record of number of gold medals won over successive Olympics Michael Phelps has just equalled.

Just a note - here in Australia you won't find a basket baller on a cereal packet, or a golfer.  Lots of swimmers however - they sell everything here, and many of them are regarded as great role models and spokesmen.  (And other sports people - footy, soccer, tennis....)

I have to confess, that although I've heard of the NFL, I have no idea what the NHL or MLB are, or who Favre and Kobe are.  They must be very American things.

Remember, the US actually calls it's National Baseball competition the "World Series" - and the only other country involved is Canada!!  Look outside yourselves a bit!  Get some perspective.

Answer 8

People will remember his name i reckon. I mean I live in Australia and he's like all over the papers! Imagine how big he is in America! Yeah people will remember him!