Michael Phelps’ First Major Loss in 4 Years

If the pictures are any indication, Michael Phelps, has suffered a huge shock – he lost at a major swimming event for the first time in four years and he’s not happy.  In fact, he looks downright pissed.  Phelps had to bask in all his silver medal goodness while he watched Germany’s Paul Biedermann drape himself with the lame rope and then accept the top prize.

The reports are that he walked away as soon as the top three were given their medals but had to be brought back for the pictures (see below).  He looked absolutely dejected to not be the center of attention and reportedly stood off to the side looking glum.  He stripped the medal from around his neck before he even left the pool deck.

I hate a sore loser.  It’s one thing to be disappointed in your own performance but don’t be a baby about it.  I think that a winner shows their true strength and character during the times when they aren’t at the top.

“I’m not pleased,” Phelps said.  “Theoretically, that was a pretty good swim for me, three-tenths off my best time after taking six months off.  I mean, I’m not happy, but I mean I know I didn’t train much this year. For right now, I’ll take it.”

Uhhhh, maybe he shouldn’t have taken a whole six months off.  Maybe he shouldn’t have been caught smoking up.  Maybe he shouldn’t have acted like a sour puss if he knew he wasn’t in the best shape and didn’t deserve to win gold after sitting on his butt for months.

The virtually unknown Biedermann stunned fans, coaches and swimmers by beating the Olympic gold medalist in the 200-metre freestyle at the World Swimming Championships today.

images: Zuma Press