Aug 20

Usain Bolt more exciting than Michael Phelps in Olympics like Sergio Garcia is more exciting than Padraig Harrington in golf

Sure, Michael Phelps won the most gold medals, set all the records and turned an already bitter Mark Spitz into a near Bobby Fisher-like figure. But Usain Bolt is the most exciting athlete at the Olympics.

Watching the Jamaican Bolt completely blow away the field in the 100 meters, so much so that he could slow down to celebrate in a race that takes little more than nine seconds, blew away anything Phelps did in the water in terms of pure thrills. You’d have to be one of those rubes that NBC depends on (and programs for) who thinks the only thing that counts is what American athletes do to believe otherwise. Tonight, everyone gets another chance to see Bolt again in the 200 meters - and while there will not be people in Michigan sitting around bars, cheering for it, like there was with Phelps, it’s a better true sports show.

In fact, I’d say that if Bolt can match this double track and field win last achieved by Carl Lewis, you could reasonably argue that it’s almost a more impressive feat than Phelps’ eight golds. After all, Carl Lewis was a much better Olympian than Mark Spitz and in swimming it’s much, much easier to win multiple events. Still because Phelps broke Spitz’s record rather than just tying it, he still betters Bolt in achievement.

But I’d rather watch Usain Bolt race any day. He’s the more exciting, compelling competitor.

You see this in golf, too. Padraig Harrington is a much better golfer than Sergio Garcia. Of this there is no doubt. The gap’s even wider between Harrington and Garcia than Phelps and Bolt. Harrington’s the second best golfer in the world, no question - no matter what the world rankings and Phil Mickelson’s Crown Plaza commercials say. Harrington should win PGA Tour Player of the Year easily (he won’t be anything close to a big runaway winner with all this Tiger talk, but he should be).

But who would you rather watch? Who would you rather follow around a golf course? Harrington or Sergio? It’s the Spaniard in a wipeout. Sergio is one of those characters in sports that’s almost impossible not to be fascinated by. Like Usain Bolt.

Speaking of Sergio, today in the pro-am for the first PGA Tour FedEx Cup event he’ll be making his first public appearance back on a golf course since his devastating PGA Championship loss - and WorldGolf.com will be there. Look for full stories from the Barclays starting Thursday morning on the front of WorldGolf.com and check out this blog later today for live reports as the PGA Tour tries to build interest in a playoff system that’s only about the eighth most important golf event of the year.

As for Harrington. He already showed up in New Jersey. And nobody really cared that much. He’s not a Sergio. Or a Usain Bolt.

« FedEx Cup so underplayed the second time around that some golf writers don't even realize it's moved to New Jersey

Olympics hero Michael Phelps gives us a mom who is even more annoying than Phil Mickelson's release-the-kids photo-op routine »

6 comments

§ JR said on : 2008-08-20 @ 08:47
From your blogs, it appears that your writing style is very similar to that of Ted Rall and Rosanne Barr. Their articles/blogs also usually consist of outlandish statements not supported by logic. How else can you explain your assertion that winning 2 sprint gold medals (track) is more of an accomplishment than winning 8 gold medals (swimming)? Also, please explain how a blowout (Bolt) is more exciting than a come from behind victory by 1/100th of a second (Phelps). I'm not much of a swim fan but what you stated in your blog just does not make any sense whatsoever.
§ Chris Baldwin® said on : 2008-08-20 @ 14:51
You don't have to agree with it, but my reasons are pretty well spelled out.

1). Track & field's much more of a real sport than swimming.

2). It's much, much, much easier to win multiple events in swimming.

3). Bolt's blow-out win in the 100 was a pure sports jolt, whereas Phelps' wins wouldn't have caused anyone to raise an eyebrow without the Olympic hype context.

A guy blowing away everyone else in a sprint is something that would get your attention anywhere.
§ Booger said on : 2008-08-20 @ 15:40
I think you are as insane as Insane Bolt is.
§ Chris Baldwin® said on : 2008-08-20 @ 15:48
Thanks. I'll take that as a compliment. Especially from a guy who proudly dubs himself Booger.
§ Rohan said on : 2008-08-20 @ 20:46
Phelps was the great American hope before the olympics started now he's the great Olympic champion. NBC created a great gigantic lovefest for Phelps with their brainwashing, they're now peddling the DVD. I respect the man's achievements no doubt. 8 gold medals in one games? hard to dispute that's a phenomenal achievement. But still he won 6 in Athens so it's not much of a stretch. As Chris said it's much, much easier to win multiple medals in swimming than in track. To win 8 medals at an Olympics a sprinter would have to run 100,200, 400, both relays, 110 and 400 hurdles and something else. long jump or something. It's physically impossible for a track athlete to do it so this 8 gold versus 2 golf has no basis. Its a specious argument. You then have to look at the performances. Simple fact is those 2 races by Bolt are burned in the memory of anyone who has seen them. The only Phelps win anyone remembers is the 100 butterfly which to tell the truth I cant believe he still won.
§ enigma said on : 2008-08-23 @ 18:25
Don't know quite what you're saying about Sergio. Paddy has won 3 majors but he's 8 years older and at Sergio's age his record didn't compare. Sergio has a special brilliance and flair - that's why people watch him