Wow, simply, Wow... what Lezak did!!! Sorta like some very good horse running down Secretariat in the stretch. It looked like he was up on top of the water that last 20 meters!!
But does anyone else think NBC and media are playing up the Phelps angle of this accomplishment too much?
Oh, maybe a bit, but I was much more annoyed that NBC and the media were way too effing giddy to play up the France v. US matchup more than they were the Phelps ascpect.
Let's face it: during the Cold War, there was always the US v. USSR thing where it was all "good v. evil" and "us v. them" and it kept so many more people tuned in. During this Olympics, NBC (and its affiliates) are stretching to keep USians interested in a sport they're not used to watching. Having a shifty enemy helps.
By no means am I trying to take anything away from Lezak's performance. I mean, hell, it was phenomenal, and worthy of all the praise that it's getting. I'm also glad to see any cocky asshat eat his flipper, regardless of nationality.
I just wonder if it were the, say, South African team or the Aussie team if it would have gotten so much hype.
Not to mention, I've watched a *lot* of swimming this year, and .08 is hardly a pounding. Hell, it's only two beers.
Thorpe talking about Phelps got a lot of hype as well, so I don't think it has anything to do with what other country the talking shit athlete comes from. Any story that helps create an us vs. them scenario works.
It wasn't just a French team, though, Ufez. It was an arrogant French team that vowed to smash the Americans. That's too good for the media to pass up.
While I've oft bitched about network sports announcers' propensity to focus on storyline instead of just calling the game/race/match, I actually thought this worked out amazingly well. Going into the race I wasn't that invested in Phelps' quest for 8 golds and the shit talking from Thorpedo and the French...just seemed like more network hype. As the race went on I thought it was unfortunate that Phelps was going to lose out on a gold because the French team was just too good, but that's why getting 8 golds is so tough. Then when Lezak made his move, I just started freaking out. My poor downstairs neighbors...
Despite all the hype, there were so many cool elements to this story, it actually lived up to the advance billing. Phelps' quest for 8 golds continues, Lezak delivers one of the finest Olympic performances I've ever seen (and the look on his face on the medal podium was awesome), and FIVE relay teams broke the previous world record!
It wasn't just a French team, though, Ufez. It was an arrogant French team that vowed to smash the Americans. That's too good for the media to pass up.
Yeah, I realize that, and the NBC broadcast of the Olympics are the epitome of shoving contrived story-lines down your throat in an attempt to make you pay attention. I just kind of fear this will serve as great fodder for the right-wing radio nutjobs to harp on for hours on end.
It was a great race and a fantastic athletic accomplishment. I just wish we could leave it at that.
Don't get me wrong; what Lezak did was amazing. However the ONLY reason he swam such a fast leg is because Bernard allowed him to do so. Bernard broke a cardinal rule in competitive swimming. He swam right up again the lane divider between him and Lezak for almost the entire final 50m. Lezak was smart enough to notice this and drafted off him. Allowing him to easily close the gap while still saving his energy for the final push. Bernard swims in the middle of his lane or on the other side and the French win. I was absolutely astonished to see a swimmer of Bernard's caliber make such a rookie mistake.
This sort of shit talking and 'rivalry' seems to be a feature of the Mens 4x100. Does anyone remember Gary Hall Jr.'s "We'll smash them like guitars" in 2000? And the Aussie response after they'd won? All good fun, and Gary Hall Jr. remains extremely popular in Australia.
It seems to be only media nut jobs who take this 'sport is war by other means' thing seriously. The swimmers don't.
Wonder how long before the French accuse Lezak of juicing...
Wonder how long before the French accuse Lezak of juicing...
Less time than it took you to accuse them of accusing Lezak.
Sad is the day when one cannot display true greatness, yet still be questioned by those who know little.
