Sure, he’s got two flat feet and his action is similar to dolphins who happen to be the fastest swimmers in the aquatic world. But pray, is that all? Is Michael Phelps winning gold medals merely because of his physical abnormality or does it also have to do with performance-enhancing drugs? I am not a naysayer, so I don’t intend to go there. But then, when someone comes up with even a suggestion like that, I intend to discuss it threadbare.
Here is why i think Phelps hasn’t doped:
1. His own public pronouncement that he hasn’t doped is no good. But what about this? He is volunteering to be part of a much tougher anti-dope test regime that is much much rigorous than the usual doping tests today. This means, if he has doped, there are higher chances of him being caught at this one for sure. So why would he be foolish enough to volunteer?
2. Phelps has also won his 7th gold and that means, his record now stands on par with Mark Spitz’s 1972 record of seven gold medals at a single Olympic Games. if Phelps were a country, he would now be standing at number fourth in the overall medal tally at the Olympics. With such a sporting legend amidst us, it’s a shame to even think of charging him for dope.
3. Good luck, Phelps. May you win the 8th gold and create a new Olympic record.