As they say, things got curiouser and curiouser.
For starters, a big brouhaha over swimsuit designs (and a subsequent controversy over mysterious buttressing fabrics) momentarily stole the spotlight in the mercurial world of the sports arena and (at one point) threatened to bench the pouting and somewhat reluctant Olympic hero, Michael Phelps.
Then, the big shocker!
For the first time in four years of competitive water-stroking, Phelps limped to the finish line with a butt in his face!
Life is full of surprises, eh Dude?
The tongues began to wag.
Too much smoke between the ears?
Night prowling and sexual prowess knocking the edge off of the swim stud's impeccable timing?
Was one of my media darlings (Becks is another fave in the midst of a potential nose dive that I'll get to in another post anon) fish-tailing out-of-control?
Normally motivated by the small things - which inspired him to pull himself out of bed and plunge into the pool and training - yikes- suddenly (out-of-the-blue) it appeared that in the larger scheme of things sport's golden boy was experiencing a melt-down right before our very eyes.
Triggered by the searing glare of the International sports spotlight, perhaps?
"It's been a long year," the likable athlete grinned at one news conference sheepishly.
There have been good times and bad times . Lots of high points and a lot of low points. It's been a learning year, both in and out of the pool."
A three month suspension from the sport for toking on a "bong" was personally hurtful - so much so, in fact - that the celebrated Gold Medalist was tempted to pack up his goggles and splash about in the shower (alone?) at home.
If he'd have his druthers, he'd probably be crooning - "I did it my way" - too.
But, he hung in there.
Some titter, in an "oh-so-manly way"
Fortunately!
Just when I was about to place my bet with a bookie in Vegas on the odds of the kid resurfacing for a second glorious day in the sun, Phelps swam free of the undertow and on to victory this past weekend.
Today, sports fans & media vultures are excitedly chatting about the "comeback kid's" dazzling splash over the weekend, in which he snagged the 100 meter Butterfly (arguably his best stroke).
Triumphant Phelps hit the wall at the World Championships in a record-breaking speed of 49.82 seconds.
Indeed, the aqua great not only left Serbian rival Milorad Cavic in his powerful wake. but confidently snatched up Cavic's once record-breaking time out-from-under him (previously set in the semi-finals and a yawn now at 50.01 seconds).
With a big splashy "team win" (400 meter medley relay World Record @ 3 minutes 27.28) under his sexy body-fitting suit a couple of days later, it was crystal clear now to the hyped-up media, sports pundits and die-hard fans alike - that Phelps was not only definitely back - but in for the long haul, as well.
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