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He's a great athlete, but I'm far from saying he's the greatest, like every numbnuts in the sportswriting world is proclaiming before the Beijing Games are even halfway over. I have yet to be convinced he's a better Olympic athlete than Carl Lewis, Rafer Johnson, Wilma Rudolph, Muhammad Ali or Jim Thorpe. And the likelihood is that Tyson Gay will be the story of the XXIX Olympiad before it's all done, anyway.
But I think it's time to give props to a cat who's defying all the stereotypes, being only the second brother to make an Olympic swim team: Cullen Jones. The New York-bred tigershark was an integral part of the Men's 4x100 relay win this past weekend and is considered a world-class swimmer in the same class as Phelps. Check him out and shout him out.
Latest Olympics Pictures
Australia's eventing team members Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks share a hug after receiving their silver medals from Princess Haya, second from left, as Sonja Johnson stands at left, during the medals presentation for the equestrian team Eventing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Japan's Yoshiaki Oiwa rides Gorgeous George during show jumping portion of the equestrian Eventing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Gina Miles of the Unites States celebrates her silver medal in the equestrian Individual Eventing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Great Britain's Kristina Cook celebrates her bronze medal in the equestrian Individual Eventing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 with Princess Haya in the foreground. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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British rider Mary King with her horse Call Again Cavalier perfroms at the jumping of the Eventing Individual at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Equestrian in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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British rider Mary King with her horse Call Again Cavalier perfroms at the jumping of the Eventing Individual at the Beijing 2008 Olympics Equestrian in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
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Germany's Hinrich Romeike receives a hug and his gold medal for the individual Eventing competition from Princess Haya during the medals ceremony at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Gina Miles of the United States rides McKinlaigh during show jumping portion of the equestrian Eventing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. Miles won a silver medal in the individual Eventing competition. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Australia's Clayton Fredericks rides Ben Along Time during show jumping portion of the equestrian Eventing competition during the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. The Australian's won a silver medal in the team Eventing competition. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Empty seats surround fans as they watch the Rainer Schuettler of Germany against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during first round men's singles tennis action at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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Comments: (15)
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By: Don on 8/18/2008 9:58AM
Hey Mr. Gray - Sometimes it is best to remain silent and be thought the fool. You were right about only one thing, Tyson Gay has been quite the story. LOL
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By: folayan gibson on 8/19/2008 7:48PM
I am a black female living in the USA, however I am Christian above all else. This article was totally disrespectful to all living in the USA. So, what if, everyone is saying Phelps was/is the greatest athlete, perhaps he is; nonetheless, black people aren't good at everything and that is okay. You should not put Phelps down, because he isn't black. He has won more Gold Medals than any other athlete, and the last time I checked "Gold Medals" were/are the standard by which an Olympic athlete is measured. So, sorry, Phelps is the best in that regard. Besides, why does it bother you, that he is being called the greatest?
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By: charnie on 8/19/2008 5:18PM
This article is really destructive. I watched the USA Olympic team swim to victory and was excited to see those guys achieve their dream. I am African-American and I don't see what the color of Michael Phelps skin has to do with what was accomplished. So what if he is not the greatest athlete in the world, but he has proven to be the best in what he does-swimming. Michael Phelps success does not take away from what Cullen Jones has accomplished. Both of their victories should be celebrated. I'm proud of them both.
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By: charnie on 8/19/2008 5:18PM
Stop the madness. I am black. I watched Michael Phelps swim to victory. He may not be the best athlete in the world, but he is the best at what he does. His success does not take away from Cullen Jones success. People should be proud of both the guys. They represent the best athletes this country has to offer. This article is racist and destructive and it is things like this that continue to divide us. To the author of this article, you are doing exactly what many white racist do to us. Why put a damper on a celebration. Your article is not helping Cullen Jones by putting down Phelps. If you want to celebrate the black athletes, you could have written an article celebrating the Jamaican runners who were fantastic!
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By: Leya on 8/19/2008 11:25PM
I am a black female living in the USA. I do believe this article is very negative and his level of success should not be judged by the color of his skin. Michael Phelps is a GREAT athlete regardless of the color of his skin. He is an excellent role model for everyone. His dedication to excelling at swimming and the time and sacrifices in his person life to achieve his success is exemplary.
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