Too often in this country we are defined by what divides us. Democrats vs. Republicans. Pro-life advocates vs. abortion supporters. It even filters down into sports, subdividing our country into a patchwork of clashing team colors.
That's why it's so heartening when America embraces its Olympic success stories. Jesse Owens. Mark Spitz. The 1980 U.S. hockey team. The incredible Carl Lewis.
And now, in Beijing, the astounding Michael Phelps.
He's not just the gold standard among Olympic swimmers. For him, gold is standard. With first-place performances Wednesday morning in the 200-meter butterfly and the 800 freestyle relay, he now has won more gold medals than any other Olympic athlete -- 11.
And even that might be old news as you read this, depending on his performance today in the 200 individual medley. He might make it 12.
Not too many athletic or cultural events do things that really unite this country. Citizens in other nations galvanize as one when it comes to events such as the World Cup. But Americans? Not so much on a global stage.
Except for times like now.
In Phelps we have something to feel good about, and someone to be proud of.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010. All Rights Reserved.
You go dude!!!!!!!!
Ha! This guy is using dope. His performance will soon be evaluated and challenged. Sorry to burst bubble.
Your just a bundle of joy this fine morning eh Justus..:-)
If Michael Phelps were black justus4 would have been all over this page extolling his virtues. Come to think of it, why is it that blacks seldom if ever participate in watersports? They do extremely well in track and field and other Olympic events but never in any sport having to do with water. Justus4 what say you?
Man, we cannot even enjoy the Olympics without the usual is he was Black, no only because he is White B.S. Do you go to bed and wake up each morning with this of you minds. Dang!!!
Justus is into "Racial apologetics". It is new field he himself has created. I've never seen such a jaded racist in all my life. With people like justus racism will never end,because without it he wouldn't have a life.
actually justus whitey has developed a kinda jumper cable that he can hook up to the black man and suck his athletic ability out and make the white man perform. it kills two birds with one stone,it keeps the black man down and whitey gets all of the gold. sound familiar? they are some slick white devils. why you think all those white guys have been winning the gold against the dream team in basketball?
And the beat goes on, and on, and on...
Phelps gets tested pretty much after every match. By the way cheers to the whole 4 by 100 meter relay team who won gold with...gasp...a black guy on it. Phelps, Webber-Gale, Jones and Lezak. Way to go. That race is going to go down as probably the most exciting race in olympic history.
He is a role model for white youth across the world.
How about Kerri Walsh and Misty May Treanor?
PaulMall why does he have to be a role model for the white youth of the world? Why cant he just be a role model for the youth of the world?
I think Justus4 is doping ... and not on anything that's performance enhancing. They go straight to drug testing after each event and nothing's popped up for him yet. The guy's body is just built for swimming and he's taken on a suicidal training program. Hard work and dedication will go a long way. LETS GO USA! I wonder what he'd have said if it was Jones pulling in those times.
Because white youth are not presented with any. Before someone can figure out where he/she is going they need to fugure out where they have been.
I have lived in the south for more than half of my life now but I still dont understand why everything turns to black and white.
They are awesome willis. I can agree with you on that.
Trulyelite, what are you talking about. It goes on all over the world. It' called identity.
Hey.. the women have done some great things too...Nastia Liukin won the gold in the all around and Shawn Johnson won the silver last night in a up and down emotional gymnastics final...scoring was most certainly questionable but they gave such amazing performances that the judges HAD to give them their due...It was like pulling teeth to get the judges to score fairly. But Talent did finally win out......go USA!!!
PAUL MALL, things must be really pathetic in your world. One of main reason we have the Olympics is to bring people together. Don't you get tired of daily trying to do the opposit? HEWHOCHANGESHISNAMEEVERY5SECOND.
Trulyelite, I wonder the same thing after more than half of my life here in the South, too. Every time I start reading the comments sections of AC, I can almost bet that no matter what the subject, it's going to become either a black vs. white or a Democrat vs. Republican issue. How disheartening.
Justusdummies, Phelps has already had test for doping numby. You just mad 'cause he ain't black.
trulyelite, because of racista like Justus 4 who is an ignorant black. The South is infested with them.
I've lived all over Georgia (and elsewhere) and the only city I've lived that always refers to race is Augusta Georgia. I must say it is an unhealthy habit and I don't know where it comes from because Augusta is almost unique in that regard.