A year ago we watched Michael Phelps out-touch Milorad Cavic from Serbia in the 1oo meter butterfly at the Beijing Olympics. The difference was the slimmest of margins, o.o1 of a second. The results were contested by Cavic's coach but were confirmed by Omega. There were and still are many doubters of these results, including Milorad Cavic himself. This week at the 2009 World Championship during the press conference after his win in the 50 meter butterfly; Cavic expressed his feelings about last years race. "What happened at the past Olympics is behind me, I can sit and cry about it but there is nothing positive that can come of this. This is behind me, I decided that a long long time ago." After hearing this statement, I believed he had truly put it behind him. Apparently not because after being asked about the controversy of the new high tech suits Cavic answered that technology is the problem both for the suit situation and the results of last years race. He continued on by making his claim that he indeed had touched the wall first. "I did touch the wall first, but I did not activate the wall first." Now I am not an expert, but how could you touch the wall first and not activate it. Really Cavic? First he says he is over it implying that he had accepted the results, at least it's what it sounded to me. And then he goes on to make this allegation...Way to show you're over it! On Saturday Phelps and Cavic will go head to head during the 100 meter butterfly once again. Phelps already had motivation going into this meet to win the 100 fly, now Cavic has made a statement that will fire Phelps more than ever. In an interview with Andrea Kremer on Thursday Michael said that he had read the quote, and by the look on his face you could tell he is ready to go kick some ass. Now on to the whole suit situation, we have seen the effect that these suits have had. These suits are said to make you swim anywhere from half a second to even an entire second faster. We have seen this in the 29 world records that have been broken in the past five days of competition. This brings me to another statement made by Cavic. When asked if it would feel like a legitimate win against Phelps, Cavic answered "If I were to beat Phelps, people would say, Cavic beat Phelps because of the suit." Cavic will be wearing one of these new suits while Phelps will be wearing Speedo's LZR Racer.
Now here is my advice for Cavic: First of all I think it was a HUGE mistake to make the allegations you made about touching the wall first. This issue has been resolved, we have watched the videos and seen the pictures that prove you wrong. Your head was up and you glided in, Phelps took a half stroke and kept his head down, HE touched the wall first. Do not blame Omega for you not getting your hand in first. All you did was give Phelps more ammunition for Saturday's race. We all know he is a motivation machine...Bad move Cavic. Now as for the suit, If you believe that you are going to win this race and do not want people to say that it was the suit not the swimmer then here is an idea...Do not wear a high tech suit!! Actions speak louder than words.
As a Phelps fan I have been waiting for this showdown for some time now, but after this I cannot wait to watch Michael Fred Phelps put Milorad Cavic in his place. Noboby is going to want to miss this, It will be an epic battle as the king of the fly takes on not only Cavic but the rest of his doubters.
Video from Yahoo Sports: http://sports.yahoo.com/video/player/news/Y_Sports_News/14787607
