Friday, August 15, 2008

A sensational six for Phelps

Michael Phelps is going to test the adjective knowledge of every writer at the Summer Olympics before this is over. He just won gold medal No.6 here in Beijing. That's six golds and six world records.

But it's not going to be a cakewalk for Phelps to get to No.8. His most difficult remaining test will come Friday night Eastern time (Saturday morning Beijing time) at 10:10 p.m. That's when he will face off in the 100 butterfly with Ian Crocker, a specialist in the event who not only holds the world record but also has beaten Phelps in it three different times.

Then again, Phelps won the event in the 2008 Trials, Crocker hasn't beaten him since 2005 and I think Phelps is in Crocker's head. I don't see Phelps losing, but it'll be very close. In the 100 butterfly, the best men do it in just over 50 seconds.

On another note: It's a pretty day in Beijing today (Friday here). Lots of Olympic events will be made up after rain washed out a number of the outdoor competitions yesterday, so oughta be fun.

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