Michael Phelps: The Feel Good Story For America

About a month ago, I asked bleacher creatures if Michael Phelps was the greatest Olympic Story in history. As the Olympics begin to draw to a close, and the swimmers finally hang up the speedos for the next four years, questions as to who the greatest story of this summer has been.

This article is not for that.

The Olympics are something Americans pretend to hold near and dear to their hearts. It is considered the time to step up and show the world how great America is. It is the time to win more Golds then our rivals in China and Russia. It is time for another miracle on ice. It is time to be the best.

For something Americans so desperately want to believe in, interest in the Olympics is fairly lackluster. Whereas the Olympic trials used to be on prime time television, now nobody even takes a second glance unless there's nothing else on. Nobody watches the small sports. Nobody watches MSNBC at 3:30 a.m. because the Olympics only happen every two years.

Then comes Michael Phelps. Tall, lanky, eating five times that of a typical adult male, Michael Phelps. The Savior of the Olympics in the US of A.

Aside from the obvious in terms of stats, Michael Phelps has done so much for the American perception of the games themselves. People became genuinely interested in the Olympics, dropping what they did to sprint down the hall to see Michael Phelps somehow out-touch a surefire loss.

So what makes Michael Fred Phelps the story of the Olympics? Easy, consistency.

America loves winners, as do everyone, but especially America. Americans hate to lose. Michael Phelps delivers on that ideology. He embodies a sure dominance that hasn't been seen in the games since Mark Spitz, rivaling Tom Brady of the Patriots for being most clutch.

Seven world records. Eight gold medals. Does it get any more consistent?

Even better, he's someone people recognize. This is his third Olympics. Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and most certainly London in four years. There are always star gymnasts, runners, etc. but their sports are simply too hard on their bodies to be a consistent threat from Olympics to Olympics. It's just not possible.

Phelps on the other hand, seems to never go away.

He makes Americans see themselves as they want to be seen, as winners. President Bush watches his races, famous Olympians cheer him on from the stands, TV crews blow off teammates who clearly won relays to talk to Michael, and he is endorsed by everyone who has ever been in or around a pool. He is the epitome of what Americans want; someone to follow. Someone to remember. Someone to trust in the ability to win.

So maybe Michael Phelps, born in Baltimore, molded into a swimmer because of ADHD, isn't the best athlete in Olympic history. Maybe he isn't the greatest character (many people like to point out his DUI at the age of 19). Maybe he's human.

But maybe, while still a human, he is the best winner the American people have had to grab onto in a while. And one who in four years they can still say "wow, remember when Phelps took eight gold medals, and remember that one race? Wow!"

Olympians come and go like ants on a picnic, but Michael Phelps seems to be one who will be around for a while, and one whom the Americans can again be proud of from event to event.

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