Friday, December 21, 2012

AP Athlete of the Year

The Associated Press released their Athlete of the Year and the winner was Michael Phelps. Anyone who knows me knows I have been around the sport of swimming for most of my life and love watching it. With that said, naming Phelps the Athlete of the Year is a mistake.

This is a mistake for two reasons. Reading articles about Phelps winning this award, everyone is talking about his career. Winning 22 Olympic medals, 18 of those being gold is a ridiculous. With that said, this is the, "Athlete of the Year". Not the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2012 in London, Phelps won six medals, four being gold. Still a great performance but not worthy of the award. Especially since two of the golds won were part of a relay.

The man who should have been given this honor would have been the first non-American since 1987 when Ben Johnson of Canada won it. That man is Lionel Messi of Argentina who plays for FC Barcelona.





Messi broke a 40 year old record this past year, scoring 90 goals in a calender year playing for Barcelona and Argentina. The previous record was held by West German, Gerd Muller when he scored 85 goals.

Playing in the Spanish La Liga, Messi netted 25 goals in only 16 games, helping Barca to 15 wins.

Messi was named the best footballer the past three years by FIFA. He is also one of three finalist this year and is on the odds on favorite to win his fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.

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