There is a dark cloud covering Beijing. Well a really big 6’4 rock solid muscle rock. Obviously talking about Debbie Phelps, ugh just kidding that is a face I can do without seeing ever again. I am speaking of course of Mr. Michael Phelps. Thanks to the media coverage, I am now so sick of Michael Phelps and am convinced he is an evil demon spawn with the mission to suck away any accomplishments by the rest of the U.S.A Swim Team so that the complete media focus can be on him.
Michael's closest race in the 100 fly at the Olympics. Photo from flickr.com
But being an aspiring journalist and all, I realize, as per usual, it is the media's fault. Now Michael is, for obvious reasons, a main focus at these Olympic Games. He’s done the impossible, 8 Gold Medals in one Olympic Games. He is the most decorated athlete ever. He is the Zeus of the Olympic Games. But he’ll be the first to tell you, or specifically speaking Bob Costas, that he couldn’t have done it without his teammates. Heck, two of his medals came from relays and honestly, it wasn’t because of Michael that they won the freestyle relay that was all Jason Lezak baby. Michael was behind after he swam the first leg and no one else could catch the French before Jason dove in, he really saved Michael’s behind.
But of course, what is the first question Jason Lezak is asked in one of 2 million packages NBC has mass-produced in the past few days? “How did it feel to help Michael win one of his 8 Gold Medals?”
Seriously dude? Seriously! That's what you ask Jason Lezak? And Lezak answered, rightfully so, "I didn't do it for Michael Phelps."
Word up my brotha’.
Men's 400 freestyle relay. Photo from flickr.com
This may be SHOCKING media people but, while his teammates are no doubt excited for him, they are not winning for Phelps' benefit and they aren’t throwing races to let him win. Swimming is an individual sport. Phelps is a big man, maybe the size of a few guys, but he is only one man. So, maybe out of respect real world journalists, maybe you could focus your questions on the athletes you are actually interviewing instead of inquiring about Michael. Trust me, there will be more than enough time to interview Michael. He is basically dog tied to NBC.
So I am going to use this time to give some shout outs to all the other swimmers that NBC has neglected to pay attention to.
Rebecca Soni, it was your first Olympics ever, you were swimming against Lesil Jones, the best breaststroker in the world, and you beat her. You didn’t just beat her you smoked her. Congrats. 
Rebecca Soni in the first leg of her gold medal performance. Photo by flickr.com.
Ryan Lochte, you were swimming against Aaron Piersol in the 200 backstroke. No one thought you’d take it from the veteran but you did and you looked mighty fine while doing it. 
Ryan Lochte. Photo from flickr.com
Natalie Coughlin, you are by far one of the best U.S.A women swimmers of all time. You medaled in every event you swam this Olympics, and unlike Michael Phelps, I can tell you have other dreams and aspirations outside of swimming.
Brendan Hansen you had an extremely upsetting swim in the breastroke to the extent that you didn’t even medal. But you still shook hands, smiled, and went on to cheer on your team from the stands. That is what being an athlete is all about.
Speaking of sportsmanship, Dara Torres, you are my hero. You have proven that nothing is impossible and no dream should be given up despite age. You could have mothered some of the swimmers on the team but yet you were right in the pool swimming with them. Before your semi final of the 50 free, you even went as far as to delay the race from starting because a fellow competitor was having a swimsuit malfunction. You could have let it slide and let her miss her race but you knew how precious those Olympic moments are and you wanted her to have that opportunity, even if she was only going to be in the water for 25 seconds or less.
U.S.A Women's silver medal performance in the 400 medley relay. Photo from flickr.com.
Congrats to all the American swimmers. Together you created a force to be reckoned with and kept us glued to our seats every night. And finally, congrats Michael Phelps, you gave us something to cheer for every night and kept us in a dizzy fantasy world of, What if? What if he really pulls this off?
And you did. You actually did it.
The Media is Destroying Michael Phelps
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6 comments:
Thank God someone finally wrote about how ridiculous those reporters are being. Asking another swimmer about Michael Phelps right after they won a medal is so disrespectful!
That's exactly how I feel. Maybe casually inquire about it later on in the interview but focus on what they just accomplished. There have been some amazing races that were completely overlooked because of Michael Phelps which is a shame.
I think it is just important for the media to have an angle and Michael Phelps attempting to/ managing to smash records was something that they and their audience could really latch onto. And yes, they're pushing it too far trying to make everything about Phelps, but they're just doing their jobs.
That is true and I understand the pressure that they are on especially when they have only a few minutes to come up with questions. I think my main problem is the fact that they are focusing on Michael Phelps during interviews with other players which obviously annoys the players as well.
You are a consumate professional in your understanding of appropriate and sensitive questioning techniques. Phelps' victory - amazing as it is - has overshadowed the victories of the other talented swimmers on the team. Thanks for throwing a little spotlight their way!!
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