Usain Bolt vs. Michael Phelps

One of the biggest factors in determining whether Bolt or Phelps has been more impressive is whether you think swimming or running is a more difficult sport to excel in for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Bolt's World Records vs. Phelps' World Records

Thus far, Usain Bolt, the Jamaican running phenom, has broken two world records in two tries while Michael Phelps has broken eight world records. Bolt won't be able to catch Phelps in that department but he has been just as impressive thus far as Michael Phelps has been. Some don't like the way Usain Bolt has showboated but he does have friends that he competes against in the Summer Olympics and he wasn't trying to be disrespectful in his Olympic runs. Both swimming and athletics (track and field) have been around for all of the Summer Olympic games in modern history. Bolt is also the first person to set world records in both the 100 M and 200 M events which is hard to do for a runner.

Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps Both Great Athletes

Both Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt are great athletes, there's no doubt. But which is more impressive? Does swimming or running have more practical application to other sports?

While Michael Phelps is obviously athletic and in tip-top shape and could probably do well in other sports, being an amazing runner like Usain Bolt would translate far better to another sport. In football he could become a wide receiver like former Raider James Jett who used to be a sprinter, with some training but less than what Phelps would take to train for a sport. He could even be a pinch runner in baseball and wreak some havoc on the base paths, or probably do great in a lesser-known sport like lacrosse.

Phelps or Bolt- The Decision

Overall, Usain Bolt has been more impressive to watch because the competition is more fierce in running than in swimming since everyone knows how to run but swimming requires a lot of practice, plus many poor areas don't have access to good swimming pools. But Phelps' accomplishments thus far are better because Usain Bolt hasn't shown nearly the same consistency as Michael Phelps in the Summer Olympics...yet, that is.

If Usain Bolt goes on to break more world records over his career then we might eventually call him a better athlete than Michael Phelps but for now Usain Bolt still has more to prove.

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