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Posted By: davidcycleback

That it hasn't been done before in swimming says it's a feat. No doubt the mere act of swimming that many events, even if the same event, takes its toll, especially when competing against specialists. Thought it isn't coincidence that the second most single athlete medals ever in a single Olympics (Spits) was also in swimming. There's something(s) about the swimming events, that is conducive to winning many medals. Rafael Nadal couldn't win 8 medals, as there aren't 8 tennis events, women's and men's combined.

I'm a Heiden fan, but even I am aware speed skating isn't as popular a sport as basketball or soccer or track-- so it's hard to compare the accomplishments one-on-one. I'm sure Michael Jordan didn't seriously consider speed skating before choosing basketball .... Though Americans should also realize that a sport obscure in the US doesn't make it obscure in other countries. My dad worked in Trondheim Norway one winter, and he said residents cross country skied to work and school. Likely 100% of able bodied Norwegians cross country ski. Being the fastest known cross country skier in Michael Jordan's North Carolina might not signify much. But being being picked out as the fastest in the little country of Norway means something, as you beat out a few million skiers.