|
|
|
Phelps does the ‘impossible’ Published August 16th, 2008 |  3 commentsMichael Phelps goes 8 for 8 at the Beijing Olympics, becoming the best Olympic champion of all time. After tying Mark Spitz on Saturday with 7 gold medals, he was one win away from breaking the record of most golds in a single Olympic appearance. He relied on 3 of his teammates in the 4X100 medley relay to get the gold that would send him into the record books, unparalleled by any other athlete. Needless to say, they pulled through. I wonder if there was ever a doubt in Michael’s mind that he would be able to achieve something so incredible. The power of the mind is an amazing thing. I believe there’s an energy that you can tap into and it can work for or against you. If you want something bad enough, you visualize it happening, you work towards it relentlessly and you don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, it is achievable. If Michael Phelps ever took the mark thinking, “I’m probably going to lose this one,” I doubt he and the rest of the world would be celebrating his achievement tonight. Related posts: 3 comments to Phelps does the ‘impossible’ |
       |
|
Copyright © 2010 HalleyOBrien.com - All Rights Reserved |
|
Michael Phelps is, without a doubt, the face of his sport just like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Muhammad Ali, Brett Favre, Roger Federer and Babe Ruth. However, for all that he accomplished in this years Olympic games, I still don’t think he ranks in the top 5 of all-time Olympians.
Here is my TOP 5 All-Time Olympians:
http://kowalkerjourney.com/2008/08/17/michael-phelps-greatest-olympian/
The media definitely pushes the hype that surrounds Phelps. I definitely agree with the faces of the various sports you’ve listed ie: Tiger, Jordan, Ali… etc. Even Shawn Johnson was made out to be immortal by the media. The media picks our stars for us.
However, you can’t deny Phelps’ athletic ability and achievements. Times have changed. Technology has improved drastically. On paper, he is the greatest Olympic champion of all time.
I think he’s an inspiration… a perfect example of positive thinking, determination and passion all working together to reach a seemingly impossible goal. People love heroes. He’s our modern day hero. That gives people hope and that’s probably where the hyperventilating stems from.
Correction: I said MY top 5 All Time Olympians. I should have said HIS (the L.A. Times writers Philip Hersh’s) top 5. My bad. Enjoy your blog. Keep up the insightful posts.