Michael Phelps didn't even medal in the 400

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   MountainManJakeposted 12 years ago

   How do you feel about that? Will he ever compete in the Olympics again after this?

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2. 75

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   I feel like he lost his focus (which he admits) and didn't train hard enough or long enough between Beijing and London.
   Definitely off his stride today.
   But tomorrow's another day.
   This will likely be his last Olympics.
   

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   Uninvited Writerposted 12 years ago

   In the Olympics nothing is set in stone. People can't be expected to win gold.
   His team mate Lochte on the other hand was great... he might be sweeping some medals.

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   JBrumettposted 12 years ago

   Have to remember no matter how hard you train your bodies age catches up at some point.  Never the less the guys a winner by nature.  He's won almost two dozen medals if I remember.  So, I'm sure he'll get something out of sheer will-power even if he can't keep up with the younger athletes.

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   prettydarkhorseposted 12 years ago

   He has been there for three Olympics, must be getting tired and little bit old and all plus he reached his highs already, I think so.

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   Sawfishlagoonposted 12 years ago

   He didn't train well according to his coach. Maybe he wasn't hungry enough. It is still a good experience to compete.

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   Tricia Heinposted 12 years ago

   I think he has stated that this will be his last Olympic Games. Younger newer athletes probably trained better than him, and are probably in better shape, maybe just because they are younger.

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      Sawfishlagoonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      He has been partying down. Who can blame him. He was a lower middle class kid from Baltimore. Now he is rolling in dough.

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   peeplesposted 12 years ago

   I don't think it's a big deal. After all these people are good enough to make it to the olimpics and that in itself is great.

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9. 62

   prettydarkhorseposted 12 years ago

   he will be holding the most number of medals if he wins 3 more

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10. 67

    MountainManJakeposted 12 years ago

    Michael Phelps only trained for 9 months for that event.  Do remember that he said he would never swim again?  Well his family convinced him to reconsider.

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    cyoung35posted 12 years ago

    This is a mental sport as well as a physical one and I think he is not in it mentally. He may get a medal or two but I definately don't think he will be as dominant as he has in the past. This will be his last Olympics as the younger ones are coming up in the ranks.

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12. 84

    agilitymachposted 12 years ago

    cyoung and I agree.  As a competitive athlete myself, I know the "buzz words" to look for in an athlete's interviews to know if their mental game is on or not.  In last night's interview, Phelps showed his mental game isn't just a bit off - it's way off.  All of the negative buzz words were there.   Gone were the positive sign buzz words that showed his mental game was at it's peak.
    
    Lochte, on the other hand, showed some great mental management in his interview.
    
    Swimming is a detail sport.  Aside from becoming strong, every little detail makes your body more stream lined.  Sports requiring lots of detail also require rock hard mental management from it's participants to be successful.
    
    I think this will be Phelp's last Olympics.  He's lost the fire to work his mind and body to the required level.

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