Remember something please...
Phelps had no control over what the underwater camera/timer registered.
He is blessed with anatomy which gives him long arms and long fingers.
I happened to see that event and when he surfaced he suspected he came in second too because the team was lagging and Cavic had some amazing timing as well.
What I saw (at the mercy of television transmission) was Cavic misplaced his hand on the touchpad.... and did not register until 1/10th of a second later than Phelps who had come up right after but had registered accurately on the touchpad. Obeying the rules of the win - Phelps was the Gold in that event....no matter what the spinmeisters try to print about contractural arrangements with Omega and other sponsors. After the money, time and training an athlete puts in for much of his/her youth - why not compensation if they get lucky. It's called democracy. I wonder how many of the Chinese athletes will see anything in the way of profit from their wonderfully impressive demonstations.
One thing I really dislike about critics of the athletes is when they complain an athlete is cheating. How could an athlete cheat when so much observation and attention to detail is being placed on his/her performance and timing.
Both Phelps and Calvic were great representatives of all the good Olympic athletes demonstrate.
If you want to see some crude and ignorant "sportsmanship" - have a look at the Chinese baseball pitcher who hit one batter down in the head and five others during the same game - and finally after much protesting was ejected by the "judges".
Now that's the kind of stuff nobody needs to put up with - he is a disgrace to his nation and all the other athletes who strive so hard to win a spot in the Games.
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=872_1219146951
I believe they are testing for drug abuse now having refined their methods from previous years. Personally I have a problem with professionals playing in the events but if they take no compensation for their time at the Olympics
I guess they've already worked out those issues.
