Post staff writer Michael Ruane will be online Monday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. ET to discuss Phelps' historic wins.
Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Annapolis, Md.:
Hi. Thanks for taking my question.
This is always compared to Mark Spitz. OBTW -- What's Mark Spitz doing these days?
Thanks.
Michael Ruane: Hi. Spitz is here. He watched Phelps win his fourth individual gold the other night, and Phelps said Spitz held up four fingers in salute. He doesn't look like the Mark Spitz of old. He looks like somebody's dad, which, at 54, he is. The ushers in the pool bleachers did not recognize him right away that night and would not at first let him sit down. But somebody realized who he was and soon he was posing for pictures.
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Virginia:
How was Phelp's decision to let Crocker race in his place viewed in Athens? A lot of what I read mention it's great sportsmanship but I'm wondering how Crocker took it and if it was viewed negatively in anyway?
Michael Ruane: Crocker, who is a gentle man, at first didn't want to take the slot. He said he had lost the 100 fly fair and square, and hesitated to take the medley slot. but i think he realized he probably had a better relay start than phelps. (Crocker can be a rocket off the blocks)He swallowed his pride and decided to race. he did so superbly the next night.
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Fairfax, Va.:
Despite his attempt to sweep eight gold medals, he won SIX!; Is Phelps considered one of the greatest swimmers in the world?
Michael Ruane: Hi from Athens.Yes is is the celebrity of the Games, and of the swimming world at the moment. Everyone is wondering what he might do in Beijing in four years.
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Washington, D.C.:
I read somewhere that Phelps had only not been in the pool for two days out of the past many years (like 3 or more years). Has he taken a break from training now that this Olympics is over? I imagine he'll be quite busy with interviews, promotions, etc.
Michael Ruane: He has taken a break, and is out making appearances around Athens right now. He did some TV stuff this morning, and made a public appearance yesterday. He says this will be the first time he has been out of the pool for a week in many, many years. But he has a new life now. He's more on his own. His coach, Bob Bowman left Athens today for the University of Michigan, here he will be the new men's swimming coach.
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Vienna, Va.:
Will Phelps be returning for the 2008 Games? Also, who else on the swim team do you see as the next up and coming swimmer?
Michael Ruane: Phelps very likely will be in Beijing. The Speedo million-dollar bonus is still out there, and Phelps will only be 23 in 2008. he could, however, be swimming a different group of events, as he'll be even stronger in four years.
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Bowie, Md.:
What college will Phelps attend? I understand it is Michigan. Do you know his near term plans?
Michael Ruane: Michigan it is. He's always wanted to go there. I bet he will enroll early next year, though Phelps says he's still working out the details. His coach, Bob Bowman, already is headed there to run the men's swimming program. Phelps is going to swim a big meet in Indianapolis in October, and probably has corporate obligations in the fall.
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New York, N.Y.:
What different events would he swim? Would there be more of them? Less?
Michael Ruane: Coaches tell me should be a better sprinter, and better at shorter distances as his strength improves with age. But his coach believes he may not recover as quickly between races as he does now and thus may have trouble with a big workload.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
Don't you think that Eddie Reese, the US Swimming head coach, is the really the one who owes Michael Phelps a debt of gratitude? Ian Crocker was admittedly sick for the 4x100m free relay, so why swim him in the the first place? Gary Hall, Jr. was the obvious choice because of his experience and his health the night of the race. Crocker could have gotten a little extra rest to prepare for the open 100m free and his butterfly matchup with Phelps. Reese exposed Crocker to ridicule and failure and Phelps' generosity in the end, restored Crocker's confidence. A competitor shouldn't be "asked" to do that, so it's a good thing that Phelps volunteered his spot in the final. When you look at it, though, Phelps was getting his 8th gold regardless because all they would have done is switch places in qualifying and the final anyway.
Michael Ruane: I believe Crocker merited that slot via his performance at trials, although it surprised me to see him in there. He kept saying that his freestyle was "coming along," and he later downplayed his sore throat. this is a very perceptive question. I wish I had a better answer.
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Crystal City, Arlington, Va.:
Can you clarify how Phelps can swim for Michigan since he's getting so much endorsement money?
Michael Ruane: You're right. He can't swim for the college team. But he can swim for the school's illustrious club team.
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Arlington, Va.:
All of the comparisons to Mark Spitz make me curious- how old was Spitz when he set his record of 7 golds?
Michael Ruane: I believe he was 22.
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Maryland:
About his endorsements -- will Speedo still endorse Phelps despite not winning eight? I'm sure there's going to be a company out there that recognizes his greatness in winning six golds and make him a spokesmodel for their company!;
Michael Ruane: Phelps has made Speedo very, very, very happy. They will hang on to him for dear life.
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Arlington, Va.:
Although much was made of the Thorpedo, is it just my imagination or did he have a sub-par Olympics? And what's his relationship with Phelps - although Phelps says they're friends, it seems pretty forced.
Michael Ruane: Thorpe won when he had to, it seemed to me. He is such a star, and struck me as a bit impatient with all the Phelps hoopla. I don't know how they get along.
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Washington, zf.zv.:
One follow up on the Crocker swap: I think I read a post-relay comment by Hansen in which he became a little impatient at the repeated questions on Phelps' grand gesture. Hansen noted that Crocker, aside from not winning the 100, was perhaps the perfect candidate and had clocked a great split. Was there any other eye-rolling by other swimmers on the way the media is portraying what Crocker has dubbed "the gift"?
Michael Ruane: Not that I heard about. Crocker was having a tough meet. I think they were all worried about him. Hansen was bugged that the reporters were dwelling on it.
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Princeton, N.J.:
Now that he's done swimming at the Olympics, is the toast of the civilized world, his coach and parents are leaving Athens and he's sticking around, is there anyone on earth right now in a better situation? Is Phelps just going to party himself into oblivion?
Michael Ruane: Not a chance. He is like an ancient Greek urn: He's worth millions, is watched over contsantly, and handled with utmost care. His agent will oversee his every move.
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Virginia:
Hi,
Do you happen to know if Michael Phelps has a girlfriend or is interested in anyone? It seems that people would be attracted to him now that he's famous.
Thanks.
Michael Ruane: Hmmmm. He was asked about this yesterday, and was evasive. In fact, he has been asked about this often. I think he's a bit shy. I don't know if he has a girlfriend.
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Springfield, Va.:
Lots of different swimming suits on disply - from the Thorpedo coverall to shorts to leggings to bib-overall style. Do they really make a difference, or is it mostly marketing?
Michael Ruane: I don't know about the suits. Various claims are made by the companies, and sometimes by the swimmers who wear them. I think you have to be a great swimmer first.
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Bethesda, Md.:
Have you sat down and interviewed Phelps? Is he pretty down to earth or have a big ego? What were your impressions about the kid?
Michael Ruane: I have. He does not have an ego. He is 19, and amazingly polished for his age.
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Maryland:
Are there any differences between swimmers from the universities and club teams?
Michael Ruane: often, not very much.
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Virginia:
What events id Mark Spitz win in? IIRC, he was not on the relay team.
Michael Ruane: i believe Spitz won the 100 and 200 frees and flys and swam all three relays. i believe all swims, relays included, were in world record times, by the way.
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Washington, D.C.:
What do you make of Gary Hall's post-50-free-victory
theatrics? American Braggadoccio? Machismo to the
extreme? Sprinter's antics? More importantly, is there
anyone out there that can shut him up?
Michael Ruane: Gary Hall loves swimming, and is trying, in his own way, to enhance its profile in the U.S. He is certainly a maverick.
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Michael Ruane: Dear Folks: Thanks for the great swimming questions. Alas, we must sign off from Athens.
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