Talk:Michael Phelps

Locked?

I'm just curious, why is this locked? What kind of vandalism took place? —Preceding unsigned comment added by JibFlank (talk • contribs) 16:45, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

More than likely something of this nature would be semi-protected. --Zeta9009 (talk) 21:18, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Olympic gold medalists

I can't seem to edit the page even though I am logged in. How do I do it? I would like to ad that he is number 13 on the list of Olympic gold medalists could someone do it for me? —Preceding unsigned comment added by Clmw (talk • contribs) 15:07, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

(AR)

In the table section detailing his achievements the term (AR) is used, what does it mean? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.19.140.208 (talk) 06:38, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

American Record, right? I'll add a key below the tables. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.19.140.208 (talk) 06:42, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

The Phelpeedo!!

Not sure who took my nickname for Phelps off his page but - The Phelpeedo - needs to be put back up! Please and Thank You! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Laylen (talk • contribs) 18:44, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Do you have a reliable source for that? JGHowes ^talk - 18:55, 6 July 2008 (UTC)

Well, now that you put me on the spot...I have to admit, we (myself and a couple friends) are accomplished nicknamers! And I think "The Phelpeedo" is right up there with the best of we've come up with. I am sad to say I am not at the Olympics this year...but if I were you could bet I'd be representing with a sign for The Phelpeedo! Laylen (talk) 18:24, 9 August 2008 (UTC)Laylen

Personal research, anecdotes, opinions, etc don't belong in Wikipedia. Sorry WildWikiGuy (talk) 17:25, 11 August 2008 (UTC)

Dude, Phelps himself would approve of that nickname if he wasn't so busy winning gold! I know this because he is wearing a Speedo. Granted "The Phelpeedo" is actually comparing Phelps with a torpedo...I am pretty sure others would see the suttle brand placement as well! +++ Mad endorsement! 210.206.191.75 (talk · contribs) 14:06, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Too recently done and far better matched was Thorpedo for this to catch on in my opinion...

In any case, unless it's something that gets covered in multiple reliable sources, it's not going to belong in the article. --Onorem♠Dil 14:42, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

I am absolutely ashamed that people are not generally aware of "The Phelpeedo" nickname. To think we even call this a page dedicated to Michael Phelps! 131.10.254.61 (talk · contribs) 14:37, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Look, right now the nickname is WP:OR, becuase it has no sources. Also, a quick gooogle search provides one result. RC-0722 ^361.0/1 14:45, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Wikipedia is not a blog or the place to coin a new nickname. It is an encyclopedia of previously published material only. That is, if this nickname were stated in Time magazine or Sports Illustrated, for example, then and only then could it be included in Wikipedia. JGHowes ^talk - 15:45, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Fred Phelps (father)

I've added a short note to the article stating that Michael Phelps' father, Fred Phelps, is not related to the hate-monger from Kansas who protests against gays and at the funerals of service members. Fred Phelps of KANSAS is such a reviled figure that I thought it important to clarify that we are not talking about the same person. Michaelh2001 (talk) 18:01, 1 August 2008 (UTC)

ADHD

There's an interesting article in today's NY Times about Phelps' ADHD issues in school, etc. 72.192.143.30 (talk) 07:30, 10 August 2008 (UTC)

200 Free Record Time

According to nbc (website and broadcast) the time is 1:42.96, not 1:42.93 as listed under "currently held records", "world records" below it is correct. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.69.97.27 (talk) 02:47, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

4 X 100 freestyle relay

In the "2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games" section of this article is the statement, "Phelps swam the 1st leg of the men's 4x100m freestyle relay in a time of 47.51 seconds (an American record for the 100m freestyle)..." This is repeated in the Currently Held Records table and Best Times and All-Time Event Rankings table. But how could this be an American record when teammates Jason Lezak and Garrett Weber-Gale had times of 46:06 and 47:02, respectively? Information on both the Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's 4 x 100 metre freestyle relay and Jason Lezak pages seem to contradict this statement. I think the answer to my question might be that only the first leg of the relay counts as a record. Is that the correct explanation, or is there an error on these pages? Redhookesb (talk) 06:30, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, only the first legs of relays can be counted for records in their corresponding individual events because the later guys are not doing a stationary start, whereas the first guy is doing it in a stationary start as they would in a normal individual race. Blnguyen (bananabucket) 08:09, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Body shape

Phelps's body shape is contributing to his success: long arm reach, and a proportionally large upper body. This could be mentioned in the article. Another olympic recordholder Pieter van den Hoogenband has a similar build. --VanBurenen (talk) 07:01, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Find a source that also says that and it should be no problem. Jauerback^dude?/_dude. 14:48, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

A picture of Phelps at a poolside would already be helpful. Maybe take a picture when they show him on TV. There should be plenty of opportunities. --VanBurenen (talk) 15:09, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Not quite. That doesn't demonstrate why his body shape contributes to his success nor does it constitute as a reliable source, and would probably be a copyright violation to boot. Jauerback^dude?/_dude. 15:59, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gFplrVkFHMmZVeqU2EsPWGSytXNgD92GR8RG3 ("his body — perfectly suited for swimming with its long torso, large wingspan and big, flexible feet — re-emerged from the water.") 65.216.235.42 (talk) 20:00, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Another source for you: http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/olympics/2008/08/can_anyone_spoil_phelps_pool_p.html Not sure if that helps.... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 128.40.46.101 (talk) 15:07, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

All-time Olympic Games individual medal count

We have All-time Olympic Games medal count. Given all the talk about Michael Phelps tying others in individual medal count, any chance in someone creating the article all-time Olympic Games individual medal count? Suntag (talk) 08:03, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

See Olympic Games#All-time Olympic Games individual medal count. Suntag (talk) 08:16, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

I added the gold medal count info to the Michael Phelps article. Suntag (talk) 08:27, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Slightly Incorrect Date for 4x4 100M Relay

Under the section "2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games" the final sentence of the 3rd paragraph reads "The top five teams in the final finished ahead of the world record of 3:12.23 set earlier in the day by the American B team in a preliminary heat."

Though it may be correct in some areas of the world, in the location of the event - China - the preliminary heat was ran the previous day. In Beijing all of the preliminary heats for swimming are scheduled for the evening sessions with the finals sessions being held the following morning. While it appears to be the same day for people who may live in the states, official record should show those races were actually held the previous day. Therefore instead of saying "earlier in the day," it would be more accurate to say "the previous evening" or even "15 1/2 hours earlier" for emphasis on the relatively short length of time between the two swims.

Here is a link to an article that references the local times of the swimming heats/finals.

http://swimming.about.com/od/olympicswimming/qt/oly08swimevents.htm

Brett —Preceding unsigned comment added by Bcvaldez (talk • contribs) 19:04, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Error in overview?

Michael Fred Phelps (born June 30, 1985 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American swimmer who holds world records in several events. Phelps has won thirteen medals overall, eight (six gold, two bronze) at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens and five (all gold) at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games,[2] which broke the record for the most medals obtained in a single Olympics, a record previously set by Alexander Dityatin in 1980.[3] Phelps' international titles, along with his various world records, have resulted in him being named World Swimmer of the Year in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and American Swimmer of the Year in those years and in 2001 and 2002.

Phelps has qualified to compete in eight swimming events at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, and is attempting to beat Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals at one Olympics. As of August 13, 2008, Phelps has won five gold medals in Beijing, all in world record time, giving him 11 career Olympic golds, more than any athlete in history.

Shouldn't the passage in bold be "which broke the record for the most gold medals obtained by a single athlete?" Somebody with an account please correct this.--76.117.61.1 (talk) 04:23, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Well, Spitz had seven golds, and no silver or bronze. I'll have to check if they mean most total medals.. sounds like they are counting all 8 medals.. but that wouldn't break Dityatin's record (spitz had seven, so Dityatin had to have at least 8). Let me look at this.. SirFozzie (talk) 04:25, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

I'm pretty sure it was equalled and the Russian gymnast got 8 total also. It defeintely means the total. Blnguyen (bananabucket) 04:27, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

They mean total medals, the reference (ESPN) states that after his 11th medal overall he became the "most decorated Olympic athlete". I've fixed the text. -- Atama^chat 04:29, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, it wasn't the total amount of medals, a Russian female gymnast has 18 medals, but most medals of any type in one Olympics. SirFozzie (talk) 04:30, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

SirFozzie, what's your source for that? That completely contradicts what ESPN is saying, it states that his 11th medal overall makes him the most decorate Olympic athlete ever. -- Atama^chat 04:34, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Never mind, you may be right. ESPN was also counting Phelps' 5 world records that he broke at Beijing so far. I changed it to state that ESPN named him "most decorated" and left it at that. -- Atama^chat 04:37, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Works for me :).. Just for future reference, the gymnast in question is Larissa Latynina SirFozzie (talk) 04:42, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

DUI

Wasn't Phelps charged with a DUI? Should this be mentioned? I don't care either way, I just thought it might be important.ShinyWatchGuy (talk) 04:46, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

It's already mentioned in the Early Life section. SirFozzie (talk) 04:52, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

It's actually in the Personal Life section —Preceding unsigned comment added by 193.28.155.226 (talk) 06:20, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Number of Golds at Beijing Olympics

The article says that as of Aug. 13, he's got 6 golds and world records, but I only count 5 so far, what's up?--Rweiss4 (talk) 05:46, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Where does it say that? SirFozzie (talk) 05:49, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

ah, I see it was fixed. Never mind. SirFozzie (talk) 05:57, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

athlete (?)

I would think a swimmer is not an athlete. athlete refers only to track and field events. Can anyone correct this? Thanks 193.28.155.226 (talk) 06:16, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Source that "athlete" refers only to track & field pls? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.146.16.131 (talk) 06:26, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Athlete can be used in a general sense to mean sportsperson or in a more specific sense to mean track and field athlete, so I think its use here is OK. --Pawnkingthree (talk) 08:32, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Thanks for both replies. I stand corrected. However, looking at http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/athletics I was surprised to see the definition "1  : exercises, sports, or games engaged in by athletes". So not only an athlete is a sportsperson, Athletics is sports in general. This is new to me (and a bit off-topic). Thanks 89.1.60.252 (talk) 18:07, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

changing references to cite web/news

Would anyone object to all of the related references being changed to {{cite web}} or {{cite news}}?--Rockfang (talk) 09:03, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Wouldn't object, but yoou won't see me doing it, I'm horrible at templates :) SirFozzie (talk) 09:06, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

I'll do it myself.  :) I just wanted to get consensus first. :) Rockfang (talk) 09:09, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

National Titles

I'm a bit confused about Phelps's national titles. The article says 38 titles plus 5 won in relays. On his USA Swimming profile are only listed 34 singles titles. I recognize that the titles won in the 2007 summer nationals competing in the 200 m freestyle, 200 m backstroke and 100 m butterfly are definitely missing in the profile, which would make it 37. The 38th single title would be the 50 m freestyle title listed in the article. I remember that this one appeared in the USA Swimming profile a few months ago but now it's off...and SCN meaning achieved in the short course nationals? I did not find any results varifying this. Another point being his 4th 100 m freesytle title, listed as won at '07 WIN: does this mean winter nationals? Never heard about something like that. And the last thing being the yard national titles listed in the article. They are not listed in the profile but these results appear in the profile on the right hand side as results in 2007 as "SCY nats". Do they count as proper national titles? Does anyone know about these facts? --FeinerMax (talk) 14:50, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

U.S. national titles - SCYN

I have searched for SCYN on Wikipedia - only this article contains any incidence of the word. I Googled SCYN - no luck in finding a swimming/sport link. What could it mean? I found out that SCN means SC Nationals but the disambig article SCN on Wikipedia doesn't list this. I think I tracked down SC from this Wikipedia article FINA World Championships - Short Course. There should definitely be a Key - as was done for AR (see on this discussion page). The Key should cover SPG and SUM and WIN - presumably spring, summer and winter - however obvious it may seem to those in the know. Also, what is the difference between AR and US?
You can see the considerable amount of work necessary to track down the meaning of these short forms and as Wikipedia is an encyclopaedia and U.S. swimming and Michael Phelps have garnered world attention it would be a good thing to fill in the blanks for the lay man. More wikilinks would be nice too. Thanks somebody. --User:Brenont (talk) 17:25, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

To the AR/US topic: AR (American Record) is the fastest time set by an American (US) citizen anywhere in the world, and US/USO (US Open Record) is the fastest time set by anyone within the geographical territory of the US. --FeinerMax (talk) 21:16, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Ah! - I see the section above has information that tells me SCYN is short for Short Course Yard National - is that so? Whoever puts a key together should reference all the terms used in the U.S. national titles section as there are no wikilinks (yet). --User:Brenont (talk) 17:37, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Is he checked by WADA in Beijing?

Probably Michael Phelps is the biggest cheater in the history of modern olympics. Take you arm on your heart, do you believe that it is possible to win in each swim by a world record, and not only hundredth or tenth of seconds but seconds! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.131.146.140 (talk) 18:51, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, some footage to this topic would be necessary. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.2.138.47 (talk) 20:03, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

I wonder if phelps has been drug tested properly also.I'll never believe he's not cheating.You dont beat world records and olympic standard athletes this easily without it being suspicious at least.82.23.16.70 (talk) 20:19, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

He's blood and drug tested more than most of the competing athletes. Linkage Blackngold29 20:29, 13 August 2008 (UTC)

One has to remember that Phelps has a body made for fast swimming, while his height is 193 cm, the span from one arm to the other is 201 cm! [1] (yeah, its in norwegian). 84.48.94.128 (talk) 23:13, 13 August 2008 (UTC)