Proof: Michael Phelps Lost Race For 7th Olympic Gold
August 20, 2008
Michael Phelps’ amazing run at eight Olympic gold medals is sparking one of the biggest controversies in Olympic history. The controversy surrounds Michael Phelps’ supposed win over Milorad Cavic in the 100 -meter butterfly finals. The official timekeeper listed Michael Phelps time as being 0.01 of a second faster than his close rival, Milorad Cavic. The timekeeper happened to be an official from a Michael Phelps’ sponsor, Omega. Omega has sponsored Michael since 2004. You see a conflict of interest?
100thofasecond.com also lays down some more interesting tidbits. According to FINA, for a win to take place, both hands of a swimmer must be on the wall. Clearly it wasn’t. By looking at the photo above, I think we can clearly question what is being represented before our eyes.
Everyone was rooting for Michael, but in the end, all of us might be getting played for fools-What are your thoughts?
From The Adventurist Vault:
Written by Jason A. Hendricks · Filed Under Michael Phelps |
Hmm… I watched it live, and NBC broke it down with super slow-mo and looking at that, it appeared that Phelps won the race by a hair. It was about impossible to tell for sure at regular speed, and even regular slow motion, because it was so close, but in the super slow-mo it looked like he won the race.
Also, when in the heat of it, Cavic was gliding into the finish, while Phelps was lunging forward, which allowed him to catch Cavic at the end.
To what end would it be in the best interest of the Olympics and the Chinese in particular, to insure that Phelps won? Sure, it’s a big story back here in the U.S., but most of the rest of the world doesn’t care. You’d also need a REALLY fast person to intercede to award him the win, as the results were posted immediately based on the touch sensors.
Seems like someone is just looking for a conspiracy theory where there really isn’t one to be found to me.
The photo prooves nothing because if you enlarge it, Phelps’ hands are both touching - just not as strongly (right hand finger-tip)as Cavic. Also we don’t know if they are already “bouncing” off the sensors. The bottom line is that in the super slo-mo, which I saw at least five times, it looked like Phelps had it. And finally, why use sensors if we are going to rely upon visual estimations? It’s why the sensors were put in there in the first place.
Also note that Phelps’ arms are not stretched out like they usually are when he strokes the butterfly. It’s because he probably already hit the wall and his hands are sliding down it. There is no way he would have the palm of his hand against the wall because you lead with your fingertips when you butterfly. On the other hand, Cavic was coasting in, so his hands would close on the wall and remain in place, or even crumple up a bit after he touched (like in the photo). What this tells me is that the photo was taken perhaps a tenth of a second after they both touched and is therefore irrelavent.
Phelps did not have both of his hands on. He activated the sensor first with his right hand to “win”.
Simply said he lost and it’s not disputable.
What people are not realizing is that the black area on the sensor is NOT the only spot you can touch. The sensor is actually attached to the wall, not part of it and Phelps hand touched it on the downswipe, on the top edge to be exact. This is why this conspiracy theory exists. There was an official protest and they were allowed ALL the footage and ALL the photos and they withdrew the protest in less than 4 hrs. of time spent reviewing it, and even Cavic saw it and then left the room speechless, until he reached the media where he did not say he won, but said he could beat Phelps in the race if it were re-run. If any issues regarding Beijing should be media glammed it is the REAL proof of the underage Chinese Gymnasts and how they are getting away with it. Stryde Hex has the PROOF from former events that 2 of them are only 14 years old. There’s the real conspiracy !
Sorry “Phelps”, but to say it’s “not disputable” is just wrong. The Super-Slow-Mo, as has been mentioned before, show him winning by mere fractions of a second, and as Chris said, the official protest was withdrawn quite quickly. Cavic made the mistake of gliding in while Phelps pushed to the end, and he caught him. Albeit just barely. There is no controversy here, and the mainstream press, even the International press, has not touched this at all. Much ado about nothing.
And Chris, you’re right. The underage gymnasts is much more of a story that few are talking about. I’ve actually been to one of the Chinese “athletic schools” and watched what they put those kids through, and it’s incredibly demanding and rigorous. Watching a six year old in tears because he couldn’t do a routine just right was a bit unnerving.
100thofasecond.com is a joke. Any provocation, no matter how slight, to get stupid, I guess.