In a Washington Post article that asks, “After eight gold medals, what’s next for Phelps,” one catches a glimpse into the influence of champions (in any sphere) that go before us.The reporters say of Michael Phelps:
He'll have plenty of stories to tell along the way, about how a 23-year-old product of divorced parents who grew up with his mother in Baltimore County, controlled himself physically and mentally in executing the seemingly impossible.
It brought a reflection on Spitz, whose record Phelps surpassed on Sunday, when he finished a perfect meet here with a victory in the 4x100-meter medley relay.
“What he did is an amazing feat,” Phelps said. “Being able to have something to shoot for, it made those days when you were tired and didn't want to work out, it made those days easier, to look at him and say, 'I want to do this.' I'm thankful for having him do what he did.”
Source: Barry Svrluga and Liz Clarke, Washington Post, 18 August 2008.
Dr Geoff Pound
Image: “To look at him and say, 'I want to do this.' I'm thankful for having him do what he did.”