Until I witnessed the video below, I thought Michael Phelps was the most incredible athlete of these Olympics. Then, Usain Bolt broke the World Record for the 100 Meters while LETTING up toward the end? As a former sprinter, I have a great appreciation for this event.

Anyway, I don’t mean to discredit Phelps. His record is amazing. It must also be put in perspective since he is breaking another swimmer’s record…..

He has 6 world records thus far in this Olympics…… And many others have been set by others…. There will be very few world records set in track and field. And I REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS after watching the race below. Then I wondered, “did Usain Bolt ever have access to a pool? swimming lessons? swim instructors?”

“How about Tyson Gay?”

All I know is that I NEVER lived in a state with a competitive swimming program (including Illinois, Texas and Oklahoma – that rules out a bunch of kids). Clearly, this needs to change. There’s a reason a very few countries DOMINATE swimming while track is open to the world.

KIDS ALL OVER THE WORLD CAN RUN!

VERY FEW KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO A POOL.

Michael Phelps is a great person and a great athlete. I can only hope that I can someday watch an underprivileged athlete from a third world country break his record as well. That is what the Olympics is all about……

Enjoy….. (ignore the French)

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