Going Deep
Phelps’ Olympic performance up there with the best
Personally, I have never been more moved by a single Olympics than the one we just experienced in Beijing, China.
A lot of that had to do with Michael Phelps setting the swimming world on fire and dominating in the pool like nobody ever has. But take that away from the 2008 Summer Olympics, and you still have enough storylines to last until the 2012 Games.
You had the unbelievable opening ceremonies at the “Bird’s Nest.”
The “Redeem Team” trying to recapture the pride of American men’s basketball by reclaiming the gold.
Baseball and softball being played at the Games for the last time and making a lasting impression.
Forty-one-year-old Dara Torres turning back the clock in the swimming pool.
And the U.S. trying to outlast China, the host country, after barely squeaking by them in the medal count of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.
But, most of all, it was Phelps defying everything and showing the world a kind dominance it hadn’t seen in a while. The kind of dominance that makes you think back to all the great American achievements at the Olympics to see where it ranks.
And that’s exactly what I did.
Let’s take a look at how Phelps’ incredible performance stacks up among some of the best United States accomplishments in the Games.
5. ‘Dream Team’ rolls to 1992 gold medal in hoops
There has never been, nor will there ever be, a better basketball team assembled than the one that represented the U.S. in the Barcelona, Spain, Games. Prior to those Olympics, only South American and European professionals were allowed to play in the Games, but 1992 was the first time NBA players made up the American team. The 1992 team coined the name “Dream Team” because that’s exactly what it was. Ten of the 12 players on that team were named to the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History list in 1996 and, throughout the Olympics, they were never challenged. In fact, instead of trying to guard them, their opponents were too busy asking the U.S. players for autographs and pictures.
4. Kerri Strug clinches it for U.S. women’s gymnastics in 1996
The Americans needed one last vault. One last vault to take the gold medal. One last vault to beat a Russian team that had dominated women’s gymnastics for years. And one last vault to keep the dream from slipping away. Going into the final rotation on the final day, the U.S. held a marginal lead while the Russians were on the floor exercise and had two of their best waiting to compete. Then, after American Dominique Moceanu fell twice on the vault and Strug fell awkwardly and hurt her ankle, the U.S. seemed desperate. But Strug sucked it up, stuck the landing, notched a 9.712, won her team the gold and became part of one of the most memorable moments in sports history.
3. Tommie Smith and John Carlos make a statement in ‘68
It is perhaps one of the most famous photographs at the Olympics. In the racially turbulent late 1960s, and with the Black Panthers fighting for equality for African-Americans, Smith and Carlos showed their pride at the medal stand. After Smith won the gold medal with a world-record 200 meters, he and Carlos — who earned bronze — sported black gloves and raised their fists in the air, symbolizing Black Power. Silver-medal-winning Australian Peter Norman donned a human-rights badge on the podium in support.
2. Phelps perfect in 2008 Olympics
The way Phelps dominated in Beijing, China, had many thinking he may be the greatest athlete of our generation, which is saying a lot, considering this is an era with Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Alex Rodriguez, Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady. First off, Phelps’ numbers are unbeatable: eight gold medals in eight events, and world records in seven of them. Secondly, he flat out dominated in a sport that had been so equally competitive for many years. And third, he made a sport like swimming more popular than anything in this country — even if it was for only about a week.
1. Jesse Owens defies odds, captures four golds in 1936
Perhaps what made Owens’ four gold track-and-field medals most significant was the time and place they occurred. Back in 1936, Berlin, Germany, was the host of the Olympic Games, and Adolf Hitler was in the middle of promoting the superiority of the Aryan race. Owens went on to win in the 100 meters, long jump, 200 meters and was part of the 4x100-meter relay team. His win not only represented America; it also proved there is no dominant race on this planet
Alden Gonzalez is a freelance writer and associate reporter for MLB.com, living in Miami. He may be contacted at Alden@towerpublications.com.