Braden Keith
Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com.
He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming.
Aside from his life on the InterWet, …
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Lilana, you sound like you’re on Phelps’ payroll. I became a diehard Phelps fan when I watched his interviewed with Bob Costas after giving up his place on the 4×100 medley relay final to Ian. He struck me as exceptionally poised, humble and well spoken—the ultimate fierce but compassionate warrior.
Unfortunately, extreme fame usually changes people pretty dramatically, and rarely for the better.
I’m still a Phelps fan and always have been. I love Michael. There’s so much to admire in him as an athlete and a person. He’s still young, he’s facing the extremes of fame and fortune, and he’s going to make some mistakes along the way. I give him that. But I still miss the… Read more »
I wish I were on Phelps’ payroll, that would be sweet…
As a matter of fact, I agree with you, more or less. I simply think that starting an interview with Phelps with a provocative question will shut him down, so to speak, and leave you without interview, basically.
@Jacked
Were we watching the same race? While obviously neither swimmer was going all out, neither just cruised the last 50. Michael made an effort to win that heat and Lochte did just enough to deny him. In the psychological chess match of “the bigger scheme of things”, a facial in ANY race is still a facial. It matters.
Lochte’s confidence is soaring. He’s toying with Michael the way Michael made it his signature to always—always—be the one in charge. This is awesome stuff!
I just watched the interview again and have a different take…Michael gave an honest response and complimented Lochte. He wasn’t ungracious; but he did make an abrupt exit. My earlier post was too harsh. Maybe he’s just not used to hearing questions that he finds challenging (although they’d be pedestrian in any other major sport) and needs to hear them more often to get a little more practice.
LMAO, you guys realize he just “lost” a SEMI final at the Olympic TRIALS… Its importance in the bigger scheme of things is close to… lemme see, ZERO, especially since both guys were going less than 100% and probably aren’t fully tapered. Absolutely no conclusions can be drawn until finals are swum
It was exactly the right question at that moment.
Garrett is a pro—something that the swimming media has never had before. But Phelps lives in a bubble and completely manipulates and controls the media. He’s kind of a bully and refuses to accept the responsibility of his position. Other athletes don’t have the luxury of avoiding honest questions and being held accountable. Even LeBron and Tiger get grilled, but they face the press in their worst moments with patience and dignity. I’d like to see Dwight Stones toss a few questions at Michael. He’s never offensive, but he is direct.
I applaud Garrett for stepping up and being a true journalist. Probing the interior is the only thing… Read more »
At what point in time swimming community started disliking Phelps (let’s not mention word “hate”)? Excellence is to be respected, not ridiculed.
I’m thankful for Lochte too, because without him, Phelps wouldn’t have had any motivation to continue swimming. Phelps is a legendary figure of swimming and Olympics in general and we should be happy he’s decided stay around till London. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone and he didn’t come to Omaha to discuss his feelings with Garrett. If I were Phelps, I’d answer him that “if Lochte survived one loss after another for years and years, I’ll survive these few too”, but Phelps is too classy to do that.
Phelps’s agent needs to talk to him about handling questions properly- he cant take the heat! I hope Lochte bashes him tonight- AGAIN.
That’s a deal-breaker question, meaning, Garrett won’t be interviewing Phelps any time soon.
🙂
Seriously Garrett, what kind of question is that? We all know he’s pissed off when he loses, no need for a question that would state the obvious. When you have your 1 min with Phelps, try to use that time as well as you can, without unnecessary questions.
Garrett’s question was not that bad.
Phelps’ ego got in the way, but that’s the downside of someone who’s so super-competitive: they really really don’t like it when they lose.
Well that’s my point exactly: we already know how he feels, no need for asking that…except if your intention was to provoke him.
hey aswimfan, u not sleep at all?? saw u everywhere here & there responding to almost every comment on this site…ha ha ha… lol
I do sleep, but I’m not in any US territory timezone 🙂
Phelps isn’t some china doll who can only handle softball questions and fawning. The swimming press is a lot less confrontational with athletes than the press for other sports. If Phelps can’t handle this question, he’d wilt and die when faced with the New York or Chicago football media.
Don’t think Michael liked that question
Garrett was trying to provoke him.