Michael Phelps Has Earned His Voice on USA Swimming’s Future
The first brick was laid in 2000, a 15-year-old at the Sydney Olympic Games starting a project that would require dedication, patience and a skill set unto its own. Over the next dozen years, the walls rose, and a grandiose structure emerged. It was nothing before seen. In 2016, the architect put an addition on his creation.
Five Olympic Games. Twenty-eight Olympic medals. Twenty-three gold. Thirty-plus world records. Twenty-six world titles. And, arguably most important, the attraction of more eyes on a sport that – before him – was an every-fourth-year thought. Remember when swimming was the silver medalist to track and field on the Olympic stage? No longer.
Why?
Michael Phelps.
It’s been a little more than a week since several legends of the sport fired a shot across the bow of USA Swimming. It started with a tombstone meme from Ryan Lochte. Phelps sent the social-media post to another level. Rowdy Gaines was part of the mix, too, commenting in an Associated Press interview that USA Swimming was “rudderless.”
The comments were unleashed during the World Championships in Singapore, where the United States started slowly, a bout of acute gastroenteritis hammering a hefty portion of the Team USA roster. To their credit, U.S. team members battled and delivered a much stronger second half of the meet. When action in Southeast Asia wrapped up, the United States sat atop the medals table – both in gold medals earned and podium appearances.
Despite the United States leading the medals count in Singapore, there is obvious work ahead for a nation that has long dominated the sport. The women’s team is in fine form, carrying significant momentum on the road to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
On the men’s side, the story is different. For the second consecutive global championships, only one male athlete won a gold medal – Luca Urlando in the 200 butterfly. There were no relay titles, nor any silver medals in relay competition. The 800 freestyle relay missed the podium altogether, although that squad, it should be noted, was hampered by the absence of Carson Foster due to injury.
As men who have played prominent roles in building the United States into a world power, it shouldn’t be stunning that Lochte, Phelps and Gaines were frustrated, and opted to speak out. Their comments, unsurprisingly, didn’t sit well with some team members. The likes of Jack Alexy, Lilly King, Bobby Finke and Gretchen Walsh all took issue with the statements. By doing so, they showed leadership.
Yet, the comments from the legends were not direct fire at the athletes. Rather, they were aimed at the state of USA Swimming, a governing body that is nearing a year without a CEO. The concerns focused on organizational guidance and ensurance that the United States remains THE power in the sport.
Since the World Championships concluded, there has been ample criticism of all parties involved. Social media has offered a few well-constructed commentaries on the issue, while featuring a bevy of off-the-handle declarations that are the norm. Phelps and Gaines have taken the most arrows, which is unfortunate.
In these men, we’re talking about two individuals who have poured their lives into the sport. Gaines has been the Voice of Swimming for decades, someone whose love and exuberance for the water world cannot be questioned. It’s been more than 40 years since Gaines won three gold medals at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Every day since, he has given back to his sport.
Phelps’ situation is a little different. There might not be an athlete in any other sport who has created greater separation between No. 1 and No. 2 the way Phelps did during his career. Why does that matter? For one, his simple presence in the pool and his greatness promoted growth in swimming around the globe, but specifically in the United States. When Phelps was at his peak, kids dressed like him at Halloween. That fact represents reach. Eight-year-old kids watching him at the Beijing Games turned to their parents and asked to join a swim team. That’s great for developing future stars. It’s also great for water safety.
Why shouldn’t they have a platform? Why dismiss them? They care.
In a statement that was given to media at the TYR Summer Championships, USA Swimming Interim CEO Bob Vincent suggested that Phelps and Gaines showed poor timing in making their critical comments during the World Champs, especially with Team USA dealing with illness.
Well, the timing of their comments can also be argued as proper – and strategically well thought out. Swimming is not a mainstream sport and with eyes on the World Champs, it was an opportunity to place concerns in the spotlight when folks were watching. And guess what? The decision to voice displeasure during a major event has obviously generated chatter.
Vincent’s statement also suggested that Gaines and other USA Swimming alums have been approached by USA Swimming in recent months, to be given a forum. The statement indicated Gaines was offered the chance to be involved in governing body matters in an official capacity.
Phelps pushed back on Vincent’s statement, noting knowledge that Gaines had not been given this opportunity. More, Phelps said: “They’ve shoved us out the door for years. Treated me like a piece of meat thro [sic] my career. Hopefully it changes someday….”
Those comments from Phelps are concerning, and obviously suggest a history of discontent with the organization. Perhaps he’ll share those issues at some point, and the door here is always open for that opportunity.
Regardless, Phelps’ passion for American success in the pool has never waned. Of course, it was on display during his competitive days. Who can forget his reaction to Jason Lezak’s 400 freestyle relay anchor leg at the 2008 Beijing Games? But even in retirement, Phelps has always been an advocate for the sport and USA Swimming. Through the years, he has worked as an analyst for NBC Sports during major competitions. His insights have been superb, and reflect his savant status of the sport. These moments, too, have revealed his desire to see American athletes excel, and maintain the high bar he inherited as a fledgling star and helped raise.
Through his performances in the pool, Phelps grew the sport of swimming. Fans attended domestic meets in which he competed. Parents registered their kids for lessons and youth teams. Swimming took over as the top Olympic sport, dashing past track and field. Now, growth has stagnated, and the American men are struggling. Those facts are not sitting well with Phelps and Gaines, and they’ve decided to speak out.
To say they’ve earned the right to voice their feelings is an understatement, and to be told to quiet down – by anyone – is foolish. They should be given the chance to provide their thoughts, and to collaborate for change.
Gaines has been a cornerstone of the sport for almost a half-century. Phelps is the greatest of all-time. They merely want what is best for American swimming.
Listen to what they have to say, because watching the bricks crumble is not acceptable.
