Would Carl Lewis have the discipline to win running backwards or skipping? Carl only won 1 gold where he had to run further than 100 metres but you would proclaim him the greatest athlete? If swimmers have so many more opportunities then why aren't the 2nd and 3rd overall medal winners swimmers? Everyone is free to their opinion, but yours lacks merit.

 

I tend to agree with the OP. Phelps is the best ever Olympian Swimmer no doubt but "Greatest Olympian"? I don't think so.
My vote goes to those that participate and break records in the decathlon..... competing in 10 events that test overall ability with a variety of challenges.
A better comparison for Carl Lewis would be if the Olympics had more sprints for him to compete in.
Say, the 40, 60, 100 and 200 meter dashes, then the relays... they could add relays.... one guy sprints, next runs hurtles, next runs the mile, etc.... could be a number of combinations.
Swimming does have a large number of events and a good number of relays.

 

Jessie Owens enough said!


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The decathlon is "the" Olympic event, the rest are just sideshows to keep the Romans happy.

 

Jim Thorpe was pretty good in his day.

 

The decathlon is "the" Olympic event, the rest are just sideshows to keep the Romans happy.

I thought it was womens beach volleyball.

 

I'd rather watch these guys........

 

I vote for Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards.

 

I thought it was womens beach volleyball.

Just like I told Frmr last night at dinner. I much prefer the Winter Olympics if only because womens curling since it combines 2 of my favorite things, hot women and women cleaning.

 

Jim Thorpe was pretty good in his day.

That's the man...all around sports.

Amazed at his story as a kid.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thorpe

 

I dunno. My big ass ain't never been within smelling distance of the Olympics, so I gotta at least give the dude props for getting there 3 times.

 

Would Carl Lewis have the discipline to win running backwards or skipping? Carl only won 1 gold where he had to run further than 100 metres but you would proclaim him the greatest athlete? If swimmers have so many more opportunities then why aren't the 2nd and 3rd overall medal winners swimmers? Everyone is free to their opinion, but yours lacks merit.

I used Lewis as an example. Lewis was the best at 100 during his time, just like Phelps is the best at 200m in swimming. Swimming has many events for the short distance swimmers 100-200m. I did not proclaim Lewis the greatest athlete, just imagine the medals he could have won if there where more events for those who are fast short distance runners, and yes Mr. Lewis would have the discipline to skip fast or run backwards if it was a competition and he practiced as he was an exceptional athlete during his time and he was fast on his feet just like Phelps is fast in the water. Oh and Lewis broke 20 seconds for the 200 meters 10 times. My point is there are just not as many events for other disciplines like there are for swimming.

Anyway in argument of Lewis his records for longest indoor long jump, and 64 straight victories without a lost have still not been beat. Lewis was 19 and on the US team and the U.S. boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics. It took 48 years for another athlete to win 4 medals in track and field like Owens, and Lewis did that in 1984. That shows you how hard it is to get multiple medals in Track. 10 medals 9 which where Gold, and he had to sit out the 1980 Olympics. Also 13 World Champion and Pan American medals which are irrelevant. Lewis has Golds in 2 completely different Olympic events, long jump and running. That would be like Phelps getting a diving medal!!! If Phelps go's and wins a diving medal, then I will consider him as the greatest. Right now Phelps is the Greatest Swimming Olympian in my opinion.

I have to agree the decathlon athletes are some of the best all around athletes.

 

Silver: Guessing you didn't know many folks on swim teams growing up? Those guys train like you wouldn't believe... At the high school level we're talking 4am practices before school with weight lifting, running, etc. Then right back to it after school. While you may think a different swimming stroke is no big deal it can be as different for these guys as the difference between running vs distance jumping. You're using the same muscle groups but in entirely different ways. Not to mention the fact that in the short distances you're talking an all out spring where you're pushing your body to the max. Also, consider this: Would you rather run a mile or try and swim a mile? Don't sell the guy short.

 

Phelps is the greatest swimmer. I think Dipper and Silver summed it up pretty good. If Track was broken down into so many micro events like swimming there would be more 20+ Gold Medal winners.

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I was on swimming team before and during high school. Swimming is an extremely difficult sport using all your muscles not just one set like in running. You would be amazed at the amount that you sweat and do not know it. I would always pass out asleep after a match. Let alone him being the master at butterfly the hardest stroke.

 

Swimming is an extremely difficult sport but so is running. Sprinting also requires the use of your full body not just legs. To be competitive at that level also requires many many hours of practice and hard work just like swimming. I won 3 individual state championships and was part of a team that won 4 State championships while in high school. I can promise you that we worked out before and after school so that's limited to swimmers. The level of preparation and training that all of those athletes put in is high to maintain their level of competitiveness. Just like swimming, if it were easy to do everyone would be doing it.

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Wasn't implying that swimmers worked any harder than serious track athletes... I was just stating that they don't work any less hard or have it any easier.

 

I think Phelps' size is also a factor in his performance. Something that my grandfather told me (about fighting, but applies to sports as well) is that a good big man will almost always beat a good small man in a fair match. I've had a pack of short guys flame my ass for saying this in the past, but I still believe it's true.

 

I dunno. My big ass ain't never been within smelling distance of the Olympics, so I gotta at least give the dude props for getting there 3 times.

It's actually 4 times, IIRC.

2000, 2004, 2008, 2012.

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Wasn't implying that swimmers worked any harder than serious track athletes... I was just stating that they don't work any less hard or have it any easier.

No they don't have it easier, swimming is hard. My point is they are comparing apples to oranges when considering the best Olympian. There is simply more opportunity for an excellent swimmer to medal vs an excellent track runner.

And like Wahoo said running involves more than one muscle group, especially sprinting. You can't tell it now, but I use to run marathon when I was a teenager, and it's hard also, I never won anything LOL my goal was to just finish! Lewis along with being an expert sprinter is an excellent jumper. I have respect for both of these guys, but I can't call one the best Olympian over the other. Lewis is the best track Olympian and one of the best Olympians, Phelps is the best swimming Olympian and one of the best Olympians.

 

You track and pool guys are wimps. Greco Roman Wrestling is a mans sport.

 

I would say greatest swimmer to date. I don't think you can call anyone the greatest Olympian unless they all compete in every sport? I doubt Phelps would do too well in gymnastics?

 

I would say greatest swimmer to date. I don't think you can call anyone the greatest Olympian unless they all compete in every sport? I doubt Phelps would do too well in gymnastics?

With those gorilla arms? Put him up on some of those chain things.

 

I think Phelps' size is also a factor in his performance. Something that my grandfather told me (about fighting, but applies to sports as well) is that a good big man will almost always beat a good small man in a fair match. I've had a pack of short guys flame my ass for saying this in the past, but I still believe it's true.

That is why I will always cheat when it comes to someone bigger than me.

 

That is why I will always cheat when it comes to someone bigger than me.

I agree in that regard; fair matches are for sports. All bets are off when it comes to avoiding getting your ass kicked.