Phelps: Wrist Injury “Huge Wake Up Call” and Will Help in Long Run
Perhaps the only people more worried about Michael Phelps’ health more than the star himself and his coach Bob Bowman are the folks at NBC. With swimming being amongst the highest rated Olympic sports, they have a $1.5 billion dollar bet that people will want to tune in and watch Phelps go for glory. No surprise then that they are keeping close tabs on their investment and at this point likely love nothing more to hear that Phelps just wants to “live in a bubble” because he is so dedicated to his Olympic goals.
Phelps’s wrist has healed after an accident earlier this year that required surgery, and he now claims that he is healthier and more driven than ever. In fact, the swimming great told NBC that the injury ”Kind of just made me start re-thinking – you know, start re-thinking, re-focusing. I think I’m more excited now than when that happened…I plan on not screwing around anymore until after the Olympics. I have pretty hefty goals this year. It’s going to take a lot to get there.”
Just how dedicated is Mr. Phelps at this point? He told reporters, “If I could live in a bubble right now, I probably would – so I couldn’t get hurt, I couldn’t get in trouble, I couldn’t do anything. Just swim, eat and sleep – that’s it.”
Apparently growing a fu manchu does not count as screwing around in Phelps’ eyes, however, as our friend Gold Medal Mel claims that Coach Bowman was none too pleased with Phelps’ choice of facial hair. In case you were wondering: no, there will be no additions to the most prestigious mustache list in history. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, Spitz didn’t “just” sport his glory for one meet.
Comment by JC
Posted on January 24th, 2008 at 13:23
The wrist injury was half of it, getting beaten by Lochte was probably the other half. Phelps doesn’t like to lose, and watching Lochte shine in Atlanta, especially in that 200IM, was probably not a pleasant experience for him. Lochte and Troy undoubtedly put their heads together after Melbourne to figure out what they could do to beat Phelps in the 200IM (the 400IM would be awfully tough, with Phelps having slightly more of a distance orientation than Lochte). They have to have come to the conclusion that since Phelps would be basically impossible to leave in the dust in three of the strokes, Lochte’s only chance is to somehow leave him behind in the breaststroke. That’s why we saw Lochte swim the 100 breast in meets last summer. Well, Bowman is a smart guy, and he has undoubtedly figured out their thinking, which is why Phelps’ breaststroke was so good in Long Beach. (He went 53.41, do you think he might possibly have had Lochte’s 53.29 from Atlanta on his mind?) Another thing both Bowman and Phelps are well aware of is that even though they know, and most readers of this website know, that Phelps’s performance in Melbourne was better than Spitz’s in Munich, the public at large will not accept Phelps as the greatest ever until he at least ties (and preferably beats) Spitz’s record of seven golds at one Olympics. He’s obviously going to go for at least eight, and this may well be his last shot (who knows how the swimming scene will evolve by 2012). Thus, “If I could live in a bubble now, I probably would.” Anyway, one has to admire his Spartan attitude.
Comment by Michael
Posted on January 24th, 2008 at 23:44
As someone lucky enough to be going to Omaha for the Olympic Trials (as a fan - nothing more!), it will be interesting to see how the Olympic strategy will already begin to play itself out there, not just in Beijing. Phelps can, of course, set his mind to most anything he wants — and accomplish it. However, Lochte, Crocker, Bal, Wildman-Tobriner, etc. are probably just as hungry for their positions on the medal stand as is Phelps.
Maybe 2008 will be the greatest summer of swimming –ever!
Comment by genius
Posted on January 25th, 2008 at 01:24
Phelps didn’t break his wrist falling out of his car… He broke his wrist while in a drunken rage and punched a wall… He would live in a bubble because he is an alcoholic and has a new perspective because he knows what bad decisions he has made (punching the wall along with the dui).
Comment by Bonnie
Posted on January 25th, 2008 at 12:54
9 months lost of partying, screwing around, being young and such for a lifetime of fame, adulation and prestige would be worth it to me. I’m glad Phelps is coming around to that mindset.
Should he feel inclined to do so, he can drink a case of pabst blue ribbon and have a friend give him a ride on top of his car (car surfing) once Beijing is over. He’s still a young man. Plenty of time to engage in risky behavior.
I bet his competition is hoping he’s being young, having fun and going out to bars to meet girls.
Comment by Chris D
Posted on January 25th, 2008 at 13:41
I like Phelps’ attitude. He’s taking an event that could be viewed as a negative and turned it into a positive here in the lead up to Beijing.
Comment by Malley
Posted on January 25th, 2008 at 16:36
Anyone know how he broke the wrist? Was he fooling around, drinking, or was it a freak thing?
Comment by genius
Posted on January 27th, 2008 at 03:00
Chris D? could that be michigan man?… Id be shocked…. Why can’t Phelps just accept that he is no different than any other nfl or nba screw up? You can’t argue with the fact that the guy is the first swimmer to ever make anyone care about swimming. CLEARLY he has a drinking problem. But really, it’s nothing new with regards to our highly profiled united states pro athletes. I am not saying he like a certain nfl athlete who actually took part in killiing puppies (michael cough vick). Let’s face it though… The guy is an alcy. And I can’t believe the “falling out of the car” story was sold to the media. So I say CHEERS to Michael and let us hope, for the sake of team USA there aren’t anymore falling down accidents leading to bejing.
Comment by Dave S.
Posted on January 27th, 2008 at 13:46
Genius,
What proof do you have that Phelps was drinking and hurt himself? Were you there? Who is your eyewitness? What is your relationship with Phelps? What is your basis for calling Phelps an acoholic? How often have you been with him when he drinks? How often does he drink? How much does he drink? How much would you say his personality changes when he drinks?
Give me an example of how he CLEARLY has a drinking problem. And relate it to all the other kids at Michigan. I know I did some stupid things drinking in college. I don’t think that makes me an “alcy”.
How did Phelps act like an “nba or nfl screw up”? I saw him take responsibility and come out and apologize for his DUI.
You seem to have a serious hatred of Phelps. Maybe you’re just venting your anger. Otherwise, this sounds like “anonymous source” info for the tabloids.
Comment by Rob
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 11:49
An alcoholic? Really? Because he had a few beers and got behind the wheel once? Because someone on an anonymous internet message board claims he punched a wall in a stupor?
To the monitors of this site: shouldn’t there be some sort of check put in place to discourage the posting of potentially damaging libel and hearsay?
Comment by Ant
Posted on January 28th, 2008 at 15:10
I believe only newborns don’t make mistakes.
Comment by alice
Posted on January 29th, 2008 at 22:26
I believe there are a lot of “genius” suspecting the cause of wrist injury. Even Gary Hall Jr. said in his raceclub message board that he would bet $20 that Phelps was drunk when he broke his wrist and went on to remind people of the drunk driving history. But one needs to give proof before saying that “CLEARLY he has a drinking problem”.
Comment by ubiased
Posted on February 1st, 2008 at 01:59
Ummm newborns and gary hall jr dont make mistakes.