Bolt vs Phelps

Laces_0ut
Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
in Chit-Chat
whos the most impressive? of course Phelps has more medals but thats because his sport allows him to compete for more.



I'm going with Bolt on this one.
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Replies

  • chrisja
    chrisja Posts: 380 Member
    Bolt for me...........but then I am biased since he is my countryman!.

    I like Phelps too though and even though he has more opportunities to win medals no-one has done what he has done in swimming so it cant be as easy as just having more events. But I am still going with Bolt.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    congratulations to you and your country. He is such a great ambassador for the sport. its one of those rare times when i dont mind that an american doesnt win. :)

    and i didnt mean to minimize phelps i just didnt want people to use he has more medals as an argument. both are amazing.
  • HellsKells
    HellsKells Posts: 671 Member
    I don't like Phelps' haircut :laugh: but I don't think that's a strong enough reason to discount his skill.

    I dunno...I mean, if you think about it, Phelps does the equivalent of sprinting AND distance running in the water. Bolt is limited to sprints only, because he's not a distance runner.

    I may not be his biggest fan but I'm going to give the edge to Phelps. Bolt is impressive in his speed, but he's not as well rounded an athlete.
  • subcult
    subcult Posts: 262 Member
    More chances means a lot more work more chances for injury and competing at less then 100% vs the best in the world.
  • ShazMc73
    ShazMc73 Posts: 106 Member
    As a Jamaican (well half Jamaican) - I gotta go with BOLT!
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    also i think you have to consider how specialized a sport is and access. everyone in the world can run and compete in running events with more ease than swimming events. so phelps competition is smaller than bolt's.

    to take it to the extreme....being the best at dressage isnt as impressive as being the best runner because so few people participate in it.
  • jfan175
    jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
    They're both impressive....and making these Olympics a very enjoyable experience. I don't think you can leave out the USA beach volleyball girls from this discussion....they've not lost a match in 3 Olympics. And volleyball at that level involves some mad skills, explosive strength, endurance and awesome butt cheeks.
  • Laces_0ut
    Laces_0ut Posts: 3,750 Member
    They're both impressive....and making these Olympics a very enjoyable experience. I don't think you can leave out the USA beach volleyball girls from this discussion....they've not lost a match in 3 Olympics. And volleyball at that level involves some mad skills, explosive strength, endurance and awesome butt cheeks.

    its certainly impressive but i dont think anyone is going to put them in the category of best athlete/olympian ever.
  • jfan175
    jfan175 Posts: 812 Member
    I thought the butt cheeks might push them up a level.
  • IamSheaMc
    IamSheaMc Posts: 1,273 Member
    Bolt for me
  • souper71
    souper71 Posts: 21
    I have to go with Phelps. The amount of effort and energy it takes to swim a 400m is incredible. It takes incredible stamina and strength. Im not trying to take away from Bolt. I just dont think people realize what kind of effort it takes to swim 8 lengths in the pool without slowing down. If Bolt were running the 400M or the 800M he would get more of my consideration.
  • DontStopB_Leakin
    DontStopB_Leakin Posts: 3,863 Member
    They're both impressive....and making these Olympics a very enjoyable experience. I don't think you can leave out the USA beach volleyball girls from this discussion....they've not lost a match in 3 Olympics. And volleyball at that level involves some mad skills, explosive strength, endurance and awesome butt cheeks.

    its certainly impressive but i dont think anyone is going to put them in the category of best athlete/olympian ever.
    Uh, they kind of already made that list.
  • amandajam2012
    amandajam2012 Posts: 82
    Bolt! But then again I'm leaving for Jamaica on Saturday sooooo
  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    Here is a VERY relevant way to look at this.

    Make Phelps stop swimming, and Bolt stop only sprinting.

    Now put them in EVERY other sport. Football, basketball, wrestling, rugby, hockey, tennis, the list goes on.

    Now, who do you think would be the best athlete?


    For that matter, team Phelps up against LeBron James in ALL sports except what they normally do. Same story again. Phelps is a great swimmer-NO DOUBT, but "greatest olympian ever"? No way.
  • Huskeryogi
    Huskeryogi Posts: 578 Member
    I kinda hate these discussions because really there's no right answer, but here's mine.

    Bolt has won the 100 meter and 200 meter in two straight Olympics.

    Phelps has won the Individual 200 meter IM and 100 Butterfly in three straight Olympics.

    So even if you reduce Phelps down to his two most successful events he's got an Olympics on Bolt.
  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    I kinda hate these discussions because really there's no right answer, but here's mine.

    Bolt has won the 100 meter and 200 meter in two straight Olympics.

    Phelps has won the Individual 200 meter IM and 100 Butterfly in three straight Olympics.

    So even if you reduce Phelps down to his two most successful events he's got an Olympics on Bolt.


    That doesn't make him more impressive, or a better athlete....See my post 'above' yours.
  • jenbk2
    jenbk2 Posts: 614 Member
    Phelps in my book. To be able to do the butterfuly the way he does is insane. Phelps uses his whole body. Bolt- it is just running. Besides I think he (Bolt) is such an ego maniac- I can't deal with that.
  • Huskeryogi
    Huskeryogi Posts: 578 Member
    I kinda hate these discussions because really there's no right answer, but here's mine.

    Bolt has won the 100 meter and 200 meter in two straight Olympics.

    Phelps has won the Individual 200 meter IM and 100 Butterfly in three straight Olympics.

    So even if you reduce Phelps down to his two most successful events he's got an Olympics on Bolt.

    That doesn't make him more impressive, or a better athlete....See my post 'above' yours.

    Yours is a hypothetical scenario. You have no idea what would happen in any of those instances. The Olympics is about winning medals in your chosen sport. I gave a specific reason why I would choose Phelps.
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    I really don't think you can compare athletes from different sports to say who is better than the other. Some are more specialized than others, and some have more opportunity to earn more medals than others. We shouldn't discount some of the less popular but no-less skillworthy sports either.

    Plus, I think the title of "greatest olympian" should also have something to do with character and background. Some of these athletes from countries in Africa are incredibly inspirational for their dedication without the means to train with the best yet still competing and winning at the olympics when put right next to them.
  • doorki
    doorki Posts: 2,576 Member
    Phelps in my book. To be able to do the butterfuly the way he does is insane. Phelps uses his whole body. Bolt- it is just running. Besides I think he (Bolt) is such an ego maniac- I can't deal with that.

    Bolt is an egomaniac? I have heard nothing but good things about him, including when he stopped a TV interview because the US Anthem was playing for a gold being awarded in another event.
  • steve1686
    steve1686 Posts: 346 Member
    equally impressive. They are both the greatest ever in their respective sports
  • kie_kie
    kie_kie Posts: 106 Member
    Bolt! but then again I may be biased cuz i'm Jamaican :)
  • antizoni1
    antizoni1 Posts: 334
    Both were very entertaining to watch, its hard to pick just one
  • LonLB
    LonLB Posts: 1,126 Member
    I kinda hate these discussions because really there's no right answer, but here's mine.

    Bolt has won the 100 meter and 200 meter in two straight Olympics.

    Phelps has won the Individual 200 meter IM and 100 Butterfly in three straight Olympics.

    So even if you reduce Phelps down to his two most successful events he's got an Olympics on Bolt.

    That doesn't make him more impressive, or a better athlete....See my post 'above' yours.

    Yours is a hypothetical scenario. You have no idea what would happen in any of those instances. The Olympics is about winning medals in your chosen sport. I gave a specific reason why I would choose Phelps.

    I wasn't attacking your answer. Just giving an alternate view point.

    Even comparing them at all is a hypothetical scenario. If strictly looking at who is more impressive why not take into consideration total athletic ability, and how that would translate to other sports?
  • EyeLikeTacos
    EyeLikeTacos Posts: 324 Member
    BOLT!!!!

    Bolt has WAYYYYYY more competition than Phelps does. No matter where you go on this planet someone is running and racing...but to be a swimmer you have to have access to water to train in. So there aren't going to be as many competitors out there.

    BOLT > Phelps

    I will say that I believe the training for Swimming seems to be harder than sprinting...but it's not like I have experienced both to know...I just hear that to be the case.....
  • EmmaM2211
    EmmaM2211 Posts: 536 Member
    equally impressive. They are both the greatest ever in their respective sports

    I second this!

    Also...yum! x
  • jheeley1989
    jheeley1989 Posts: 10
    Both brilliant in their own right and don't think you could really disagree with the fact that they are one of the best if not the best ever in their own sports. Think it will be interesting to see if Bolt can do the same again in 2016 or see whether he tries the 400m tho.
  • chrisyoung0422
    chrisyoung0422 Posts: 426 Member
    How about neither. I saw this comparison on ESPN lastnight and just laughed. Who cares they are two different worlds. Bolt's comments about being the best blah blah blah sure showed his class. I get you are the best runner cool but that is one sport in a world of many. Phelps is a pothead who can swim. Next topic. :sad:
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I say Bolt, as his victories tend to be by wider margins and more people (competition) from around the world run vs. swim.
  • jillybeanruns
    jillybeanruns Posts: 1,420 Member
    Especially after last night, I really don't like Bolt.

    He declared himself a legend. Gifted? Sure. Pompous and arrogant? You bet!

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