Usain Bolt is most like who...?

[Tennis13]

Originally Posted by bravos4evr

I have a hard time crowning a guy "the greatest Olympian" who did the same thing in 3 different races: sprinted. He ran 100m twice an olympics then 200m once. It's a great feat and all, but I'm just not impressed compared to winning 18 or 19 individual events over 4 olympics in different strokes and distances.

Or say the people who have won events in different sports and different olympics .


I tend to think the media hype machine and internet tends to push hyperbole to the point where any achievement now is "THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME" often, it just isn't.

Bolt, greatest sprinter in Olympic History sure, but I don't think he's in the top 5 of greatest olympians.

I am not calling him the greatest ever nor am I calling Tyson the greatest ever. What I am saying is that he brings gravity to the situation. Everyone stops and watches and says "Woah".

It's that aura of invincibility coupled with that aura of "I gotta watch." The Pinnacle for Tiger was probably when he slow-rolled that Nike ball putt in the late stages of a major win.

I think Owens and Lewis are all great comparisons. Jordan was in particular games, but he played nearly 100 per season, so it was different. Like Tyson, Bolt only works his craft a few times per year on a big stage. Bolt also has that Foreman charisma as well to sell bis sport.

I would say aside from Tyson, the only individual event that rivals Bolt for inevitability and anticipation was Federer-Nadal 2008 Wimbledon final.

[bravos4evr]

Originally Posted by Tennis13

I am not calling him the greatest ever nor am I calling Tyson the greatest ever. What I am saying is that he brings gravity to the situation. Everyone stops and watches and says "Woah".

It's that aura of invincibility coupled with that aura of "I gotta watch." The Pinnacle for Tiger was probably when he slow-rolled that Nike ball putt in the late stages of a major win.

I think Owens and Lewis are all great comparisons. Jordan was in particular games, but he played nearly 100 per season, so it was different. Like Tyson, Bolt only works his craft a few times per year on a big stage. Bolt also has that Foreman charisma as well to sell bis sport.

I would say aside from Tyson, the only individual event that rivals Bolt for inevitability and anticipation was Federer-Nadal 2008 Wimbledon final.

I was referring more to the media hype than you or any other individual commenting in here. The sprints are high profile for the USA (like swimming) si our media tends to push it hard. I still think that Kim Rhode winning a skeet shooting medal in 6 straight olympics is one of the greatest olympic feats ever. 24 years!!!! Even if they aren't all gold, that's pretty amazing.

Hell, that women's wrestler who beat the japanese icon for the gold has been totally overlooked. It was like some nobody showing up and beating Bolt in the 100m!

[Peter_Spaeth]

Perhaps the most invincible athlete ever was Alexander Karelin, the incomparable Russian wrestler. Rulon Gardner's win over him was truly epic, easily the equal of someone beating Bolt.

Here is a piece on Karelin, which reveals that behind that massive and menacing physique was a thoughtful intellectual.
http://www.si.com/vault/1991/05/13/1...sing-intellect

[steve B]

Bolt is really amazing, and as in most sports comparing eras is difficult. Today most athletes are at least a bit specialized, only doing one or two events. Athletes before may have only competed at the top level in one or two, but competed in more than that.

The US coverage only covers a few sports that are popular here, and a lot of the great performances in less well known sports get missed.

I'm a big fan of the performances by the athletes at the lower end of the spectrum. I can enjoy Phelps, Bolt etc and admire what they accomplish.
But I really like the ones that put in a great effort despite being a bit overmatched.

Mathieu Razanakolona sking for Madagascar. Nearly crashes, doesn't DQ and finishes the course. Placed 39th out of 41 finishers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m51Fg6Hv2xM

A few more, Eddie the eagle was a favorite of mine. I can't imagine trying either of the big ski jumps, and I was a bit crazy as a skier.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oth...s-history.html


Attended the 96 Olympics in Atlanta, and watched some qualifying, some of the people who barely made the finals celebrated more than the ones who got in more easily.

Steve B

[Tennis13]

Did you watch the Eddie the Eagle movie from a few years ago? Good bubblegum fare.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Perhaps the most invincible athlete ever was Alexander Karelin, the incomparable Russian wrestler. Rulon Gardner's win over him was truly epic, easily the equal of someone beating Bolt.

Here is a piece on Karelin, which reveals that behind that massive and menacing physique was a thoughtful intellectual.
http://www.si.com/vault/1991/05/13/1...sing-intellect

Thanks for sharing Peter- I had forgotten how dominant Karelin was.

Undefeated in International Competition for 13 years and unscored upon for 6 years!!!! Simply Amazing !

[packs]

I don't think you can say Usain Bolt is hyped. The guy is the best sprinter on the planet and faster than any man alive, and possibly ever to live. Not only does he have that distinction, but he's held that distinction for 12 years. We don't even know how fast he can actually run because he isn't challenged in his races. He pulls up at the end of every race because he's got it won before it's over.

[bravos4evr]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't think you can say Usain Bolt is hyped. The guy is the best sprinter on the planet and faster than any man alive, and possibly ever to live. Not only does he have that distinction, but he's held that distinction for 12 years. We don't even know how fast he can actually run because he isn't challenged in his races. He pulls up at the end of every race because he's got it won before it's over.

he is over hyped. he is fast, so what? he is good at one little thing. and if he pulls up at the end he has nobody to blame but himself.

I am not impressed, not when compared to other Olympians who have done more in different events.

[packs]

I'm looking at it differently. The thing about sprinting is you aren't supposed to be good for very long. But Bolt isn't even challenged 12 years later. That's what I think is so impressive about the feat.

[FourStrikes]

Originally Posted by bravos4evr

he is over hyped. He is fast, so what? He is good at one little thing. And if he pulls up at the end he has nobody to blame but himself.

I am not impressed, not when compared to other olympians who have done more in different events.

.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by packs

I don't think you can say Usain Bolt is hyped. The guy is the best sprinter on the planet and faster than any man alive, and possibly ever to live. Not only does he have that distinction, but he's held that distinction for 12 years. We don't even know how fast he can actually run because he isn't challenged in his races. He pulls up at the end of every race because he's got it won before it's over.

2008 to now is 8 years, no?

[packs]

You are right about that. I was going by the rule of 4 times 3.