The best team in America -- the U.S. Swimming team

[FWMustangGirl]

Nothing, but according my stepson and facebook, an SMU coed (not athlete) just lost the gold for silver in women's gymnastics. I wonder why we have equestrian when we could dominate in women's gymnastics with all the major instuctional gyms in Texas? Probably unlike men, it is not the route top women gymnasts take (a university team).

I had to look it up, but Nastia Luikin (such an unfortunate name when said out loud) was enrolled at SMU. Heck of a gymnast.

at what point?...and did she withdraw?

I thought I saw that she took the semester off to prepare for Beijing.

is she in a sorority?

From her website:

Nastia has a very busy schedule every week splitting her time between two training sessions a day and the many other commitments of a professional athlete and student. She was accepted in Southern Methodist University in Dallas to begin her freshman year in 2008 but after trying to juggle her training and academic commitments decided to put college on hold until after the Summer. In the future she hopes to pursue a career in international business or acting.

[RednBlue11]

Nothing, but according my stepson and facebook, an SMU coed (not athlete) just lost the gold for silver in women's gymnastics. I wonder why we have equestrian when we could dominate in women's gymnastics with all the major instuctional gyms in Texas? Probably unlike men, it is not the route top women gymnasts take (a university team).

I had to look it up, but Nastia Luikin (such an unfortunate name when said out loud) was enrolled at SMU. Heck of a gymnast.

at what point?...and did she withdraw?

I thought I saw that she took the semester off to prepare for Beijing.

is she in a sorority?

From her website:

Nastia has a very busy schedule every week splitting her time between two training sessions a day and the many other commitments of a professional athlete and student. She was accepted in Southern Methodist University in Dallas to begin her freshman year in 2008 but after trying to juggle her training and academic commitments decided to put college on hold until after the Summer. In the future she hopes to pursue a career in international business or acting.

ahhh so she was a prelude kid!

[ThadFilms]

I have two words for this thread, and then a brief follow up -

Michael Phelps





I was overcome by an argument that Phelps was the best athlete on the planet..... I think, though, it cannot be argued that he is the most dominant. Seriously, every time that dude jumps into the water he sets a new world record. No one in any sport doest that. On their field, on their court, on their track, etc. What this guy is doing is unreal.

I do thank the originator of this thread (the General) to include the whole team though, with all the Phelps love we forget that he couldn't win ALL the golds he is winning without teammates. It's sad, though that there names will never be remembered. But I guess that's almost fair when dealing with someone as dominant as Phelps. It's pretty special, and maybe sometimes,sadly, ho-hum, to watch.

[RednBlue11]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

it should be pointed out that the Olympic pool the chinese built is tailored for WR's. in no other competition in any other pool have so many swimmers been close to or broke as many records as have fallen in the last 3 days.

its not just phelps but everyone is really really close or breaking them....the pool is significantly deeper, wider, and designed to reduce wave interference which basically allows for less inference from rebounding waves from the bottom and sides

basically less waves = faster times i.e. WR times

i know anyone with a background in physics or engineering can back me up on this


everything about these Olympics is aesthetic and lacks quality and integrity to me that others past have had. from the fireworks to the pool to the miming to the gymnasts...everything so far has had a small or significant cloud (insert smog pun here) of skepticism surrounding it.

the chinese are so focused on their image that the means by which they get there are devious and shady.

some might say that it does not mater but it DOES....if you have a shred of integrity these games should bother you at least a little bit.

[ThadFilms]

I didn't say that he was the best athlete... I said I heard that argument. But I did say he was the most dominant.

[mrydel]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

[RednBlue11]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

i said nothing about it being harder or easier, there is just more of it demanded from those other sports

[mrydel]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

i said nothing about it being harder or easier, there is just more of it demanded from those other sports

I do not agree at that level. He does a little more than splashing in the shallow end. I would put Phelp's athleticism up against anyones.

[ThadFilms]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

i said nothing about it being harder or easier, there is just more of it demanded from those other sports

I do not agree at that level. He does a little more than splashing in the shallow end. I would put Phelp's athleticism up against anyones.

Totally. I mean seriously, you go swim in a pool for a day, and you are beat. In every way. And remember... um.... you can breath underwater. I think that's something forgotten but shouldn't be easily discounted. Here is something that you actually have a focus on breathing. Something that other sports, well, you can just do. I know it sounds silly, but I have been thinking about that little nugget lately. Where's water pony when you need him?

[RednBlue11]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

i said nothing about it being harder or easier, there is just more of it demanded from those other sports

I do not agree at that level. He does a little more than splashing in the shallow end. I would put Phelp's athleticism up against anyones.

Totally. I mean seriously, you go swim in a pool for a day, and you are beat. In every way. And remember... um.... you can breath underwater. I think that's something forgotten but shouldn't be easily discounted. Here is something that you actually have a focus on breathing. Something that other sports, well, you can just do. I know it sounds silly, but I have been thinking about that little nugget lately. Where's water pony when you need him?

haha, again i have said nothing to put him down i jst think that at the elite level football players and baseball players are more athletic ...mainly because they have to be

[ThadFilms]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

i said nothing about it being harder or easier, there is just more of it demanded from those other sports

I do not agree at that level. He does a little more than splashing in the shallow end. I would put Phelp's athleticism up against anyones.

Totally. I mean seriously, you go swim in a pool for a day, and you are beat. In every way. And remember... um.... you can breath underwater. I think that's something forgotten but shouldn't be easily discounted. Here is something that you actually have a focus on breathing. Something that other sports, well, you can just do. I know it sounds silly, but I have been thinking about that little nugget lately. Where's water pony when you need him?

haha, again i have said nothing to put him down i jst think that at the elite level football players and baseball players are more athletic ...mainly because they have to be

Do they? Jump in the pool and give me 20 [laps].

[RednBlue11]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

Your next assignment is to go swim a 200 meter Butterfly in world record time and report back on athleticism in swimming.

i said nothing about it being harder or easier, there is just more of it demanded from those other sports

I do not agree at that level. He does a little more than splashing in the shallow end. I would put Phelp's athleticism up against anyones.

Totally. I mean seriously, you go swim in a pool for a day, and you are beat. In every way. And remember... um.... you can breath underwater. I think that's something forgotten but shouldn't be easily discounted. Here is something that you actually have a focus on breathing. Something that other sports, well, you can just do. I know it sounds silly, but I have been thinking about that little nugget lately. Where's water pony when you need him?

haha, again i have said nothing to put him down i jst think that at the elite level football players and baseball players are more athletic ...mainly because they have to be

Do they? Jump in the pool and give me 20 [laps].

having athleticism is not conducive to having the coordination to specialize in other sports...let re-iterate to those who keep missing my point... all around, baseball players and football players are better athletes, they have to do MORE and be specialized in a larger number of coordinated talents...i will give Phelps this, he can win with different swimming strokes which certainly makes him special

[SmooBoy]

Cool, the thread swam over to the General board.

[mrydel]

OK. So, take 20 laps and do a flip turn, scissors kick, frog kick, breast stroke (TWHS),butterfly, back stroke, etc. There is a lot of different aspects involved in competitive swimming. He does them all. A football player typically concentrates on one specific position in his training. Phelps does every stroke and he does them near or in world record time.

[sail420s]

Phelps is certain the best SWIMMER on the planet but by no means the best athlete...it takes more refined skill and athleticism to be at the elite levels in football and baseball.

it should be pointed out that the Olympic pool the chinese built is tailored for WR's. in no other competition in any other pool have so many swimmers been close to or broke as many records as have fallen in the last 3 days.

its not just phelps but everyone is really really close or breaking them....the pool is significantly deeper, wider, and designed to reduce wave interference which basically allows for less inference from rebounding waves from the bottom and sides

basically less waves = faster times i.e. WR times

i know anyone with a background in physics or engineering can back me up on this


everything about these Olympics is aesthetic and lacks quality and integrity to me that others past have had. from the fireworks to the pool to the miming to the gymnasts...everything so far has had a small or significant cloud (insert smog pun here) of skepticism surrounding it.

the chinese are so focused on their image that the means by which they get there are devious and shady.

some might say that it does not mater but it DOES....if you have a shred of integrity these games should bother you at least a little bit.

I have a background in engineering. I also like to think that I have integrity, and I find your argument to be completely ridiculous. To argue which sport requires the most skill is a waste of time. Everyone thinks their prefered sport is the harder one. Swimming is a lot more than jumping in a pool and flapping your arms. To achieve world class levels, tremendous skill is required. They are constantly working on their stroke. Fine tuning subtle nuances to shave hundreths of a second off of their time. The time you see Phelps racing on TV is only about 5% of his daily swim, and I'm not talking about his normal training routine. In Beijing, he swims 5 to 6 miles a day when the cameras are not on. The people finishing last in these finals are all world class athletes.

Regarding the pool design...Are trying to fault there ability because current technology allows for faster times? What about other sports? Golf, tennis, rowing, track and field, sailing, football, baseball, under water basket weaving...ALL sports use modern technology to increase performance in clothing, equipment, playing surfaces, and training techniques. The pool in Athens in 2004, Sydney in 2000, even the one down the interstate at UT has wave damping systems.

To sum up...your argument is dumb.