Usain Bolt To The Rescue

I am not the least bit surprised. In case you haven’t heard, Michael Phelps won SI’s “Sportsman of the Year” this year for winning 8 gold medals in Beijing. Usain Bolt deserved to win the title but apparently was not even close to winning for his riveting performances.

Sports Illustrated Group editor Terry McDonell called the selection of Phelps “the easiest choice I have made.”

Seriously?

But we all know the deal here. Track and field is far from being popular having been riddled with doping allegations and the fact that some of the sport’s former stars are currently serving jail time.

The Olympic Games became the “Michael Phelps Show,” setting a world record every time he dipped his toe in the pool and in the process winning over America.

Television ratings shot through the roof to watch the made-for-tv movie series that played out featuring Michael Phelps.

No one had heard of Usain Bolt prior to 8-8-08. But all of a sudden people were talking about the sport again and what a 6 foot, 5 inch sprinter from Jamaica was doing in Beijing.

For that reason, Usain Bolt is my Athlete of the Year - make that the galaxy.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.

The Michael Phelps Show So Far

Will his quest for eight leave him a great?

Prior to the Opening Ceremony in Beijing, there were worries about the protestors, air qualities, and how invasive the Chinese government would potentially operate during the Olympic Games.

The news reports were numerous, detailing what could happen and identifying every conceivable pitfall involving the host city.

Outside of the tragic murder of U.S. tourist Todd Bachman and the suicide of his killer, the games have proceeded without other incidents.

The historic performances of Michael Phelps, such as the razor thin victory in the 4×100 meter free style relay, made the pollution stories go away. The Chinese government has not been thought of while watching Phelps slam down a 10 meter lead in the 4×200-meter relay in his lead-off leg.

The world is witnessing an iconic moment that will be vividly remembered in forty or fifty years. Folks have been glued to the tube watching Phelp’s heroic efforts that have now topped Mark Spitz’s record of winning more gold medals in Olympic History.

This assault on the record books is unreal, and you have to remind yourself that his competitors are world class swimmers with mad skills themselves. In future years, it will be easy to remember the Ann Arbor resident has set a world record in every race he has swum in Beijing.

The country has been mesmerized by watching a mother nervously witness her son become the most decorated Olympian in history, joining the distinct club including legends such as Carl Lewis and Jenny Thompson.

As it stands right now, when people reflect on the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, it will be recalled as the Michael Phelps Moment. The conversation will revolve around whether he is one of the greatest athletes of all time.

By Jay Hicks.