So...I keep watching the 100m fly. Controversy beside, it is just an amazing race.
Phelps lunges for the wall to out-touch Milorad Cavic. Cavic glides in while Phelps risks the half-stroke to propel himself forward. It wasn't experience as much as it was luck, but the overriding factor is was that Phelps was determined to get there. He wanted it more; to get there first; to capture that gold even if he didn't believe that he had.
Settling indeed. :-)
I think despite all the hype, with the media commenting on how "easy" Phelps makes it seem going for gold, and people "expecting" him to win, there is still hard work invovled. There is hunger that still needs to come from every competitor. And in the end, Phelps just wants it more. Maybe for him, its more than breaking records. He just wants to win. And in order to do that, he has to believe he will.
In my short 27 years of living, I have observed that skill and talent help. But determination and belief are harder to attain, let alone keep. Even harder still to get people to rally behind you. I suppose that is what amazes me with this Olympics and Phelps. Media aside, Phelps has the world believing what he believes: that he will win.
And we all love a winner.
In regards to gymnastics, (which, I don't always admit watching) watch Nastia Liukin's All-Around routines. It is a wonderful combination of beauty and strength. Her balance beam and floor routines are just exquisite. I don't usually listen to commentators (other than for fodder for discussion) but I agree with their analysis. Strength displayed in twists, turns and tumbles can capture gold. There has to be beauty within each move that can capture a nation. It is a feat if someone can do both.
And we all love beautiful things.
Of course...here's my swimming sidenote. The 4x100m medley relay is coming up. If Team USA wins gold or not, we are watching history in the making. And it will be amazing.
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