Greatest Ever Olympian: Redgrave v Phelps

[JTG]

Further thoughts: Phelps and Redgrave both come from countries with the facilities and funds in their respective disciplines to enable their own natural talent to be developed to the point where they become true giants of their sports. Moussambani on the other hand had been swimming for 8 months before he showed up in Sydney and trained in a 20 metre pool. It was something special that he was even there at all - could he have been better given the opportunities Phelps and co have had?

This doesn't detract one bit from the extraordinary achievements of those who win medals of course, but I do think we should recognise the people who are there because no country deserves to go unrepresented at the Olympics.

Letting my romanticism surface a bit here aint I

 

[London_Calling]

my point being that it's utterly unfair and indeed ludicrous to pick a champion as being 'better' than other champions in different disciplines/eras so we may as well pick somebody else entirely in order to be fair to all.

I see your logic but think you're being far too picky over definitions

 

[JTG]

 

[N_igma]

Further thoughts: Phelps and Redgrave both come from countries with the facilities and funds in their respective disciplines to enable their own natural talent to be developed to the point where they become true giants of their sports. Moussambani on the other hand had been swimming for 8 months before he showed up in Sydney and trained in a 20 metre pool. It was something special that he was even there at all - could he have been better given the opportunities Phelps and co have had?

This doesn't detract one bit from the extraordinary achievements of those who win medals of course, but I do think we should recognise the people who are there because no country deserves to go unrepresented at the Olympics.

Letting my romanticism surface a bit here aint I

Of course, even by that definition Eric isn't the best imo. What about that guy who broke his ankle and had his dad come on and help him finish the race? He would get it for me.

 

[Melinda]

Of course, even by that definition Eric isn't the best imo. What about that guy who broke his ankle and had his dad come on and help him finish the race? He would get it for me.

Derek Redmond! Sharon Davies ex husband!

 

[JTG]

Of course, even by that definition Eric isn't the best imo. What about that guy who broke his ankle and had his dad come on and help him finish the race? He would get it for me.

As mentioned, Derek Redmond. Think it was a muscle tear though.

Surely Redmond had the opportunities I underlined in my post though? My point is that I want to go for someone who embodies the much romanticised Olympic ideal, it would be impossible to settle on one person though. SO you can nominate whoever you like and you'll be right

 

[Bob_the_lost]

As an individual, Phelps no question. Redgrave was an incredible individual athlete, but on his own he was still part of the pack even if he was leading it, it was his dedication to the sport and ability to function in one of the most testing team sports around that made him special. Rowers can keep competing well into the 30s so the final olympics at 38 isn't pushing it too far. If you wanted a superb rower i'd look at this lady: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisabeta_Lipă more medals than Redgrave and in the two most prestigious, competitive and different classes, single scull and the 8.

Phelps is the olympic ideal, head and shoulders above the rest, wonder how long he'll go for. Redgrave was the rowing ideal, big strong and dedicated to the core.

 

[Silva]

Phelps is a candidate, but until he checks out his career it will be too soon to tell. I mean, four years ago, Ian Thorpe was the biggest thing in the world, and now has retired, comments on Eurosport yet he's just two or three years older than Phelps. And by the next Olympics, I'm pretty sure there will be a new wunderkind in swimming.

As for other names not mentioned... Eric Heiden won seven golds in Lake Placid, all individual and in both sprint and endurance events. Christa Luding, even if she's eastern German (and therefore, dodgy by default), won medals in both Summer and Winter Olympics in the same year.