![]() ![]() ![]() Whether good trash talk in swimming ever happens on the scale of this past summer remains to be seen. Trash talk ought to be another tool in the toolbox for wearing down a competitor, like how Michael Jordan would baffle and frustrate opponents when he informed them how he intended to score, then proceeded to score according to his already revealed plan.Īny talk that undermines the respect necessary to competition isn’t worthy of our trash-y title. Speech like that does not deserve praise and shouldn’t be tolerated in sports, which in their essence are based upon fair play and equal opportunity. None of the above examples engaged in mockery, belittlement or discrimination of opponents. The last of these is especially important. When done well, trash talk is infuriating, challenging and respectful. It’s at the heart of the competitive spirit and thus hopelessly interwoven into athletic and sports culture. So what have we learned? Trash talk is captivating. It took place in 2014 and the clips were conveniently gathered and translated by my colleagues at Swimming World. Sun Yang celebrates the birthday of Tae Hwan Park at the 2014 Asian Games, after an ad campaign leading up to the games. Le Clos’ father also found himself tangled in the back and forth. New York Magazine ran a story that recants the whole passive aggressive affair.Īll in all, trash talking and the Phelps face were the best thing to happen to swimming since, well, Michael Phelps.Īnd though it didn’t take place in this past year, one mustn’t forget: Sun Yang’s Strange Ad Campaign Against Tae Hwan Park ![]() ![]() The grudge was held since London, but the talk only surfaced in late 2015 after Phelps had a timely swim he posted the fastest time in the world at US Nationals hours after le Clos spoke to media saying he wasn’t worried about Phelps. And the legend of Phelps face continues into a commercialization phase, thanks to a recent spot for Intel. Phelps came out on top in the court of public opinion by letting his walking do the talking. It was le Clos who was responsible for all the chatter and all the posturing. Unlike King, however, Phelps was utterly silent. And Phelps, like Lilly King, delivered: he beat his competitor in the semi and brought home the gold the next day. Social media memed the scowl, granting it a hashtag. Everyone in the office the next day was talking about the Phelps face. In this rare moment, swim culture transcended into pop culture. And we all ate it up.įor example: Lovely Lilly and the Finger-Wag Heard ‘Round the World Why wouldn’t it be? Trash talk is a pastime that’s basically the adult version of bullying. Besides, there isn’t an opportunity at a swim meet for a colloquial exchange with your opponent like in basketball when a defensive assignment requires that you really get to know someone in a different color jersey.Īs for the fans, well… the only fan at my swim meets is my mom, and I couldn’t accuse her of anything so vile.īut before we pretend that chlorine does holy water make, let’s remember that in the past year swimming has produced some of the most awesome instances of trash talk in recent memory. Usually, swimming escapes the trappings of talking trash, and it’s proud to do so. Whether you’re a baseball fan in the wrong city or a basketball player back in your old city, trash talk follows sports like Ernie follows Bert. And there’s been plenty of dramatic dialogue to accompany. Before the Cubs and Indians finished playing ball late Wednesday night, all four of the largest American sports leagues were operating at the same time. Photo Courtesy: įor the American sports fan, this is a great time of year. Gary Payton and Michael Jordan, two of the most prolific trash talkers in NBA history. ![]()
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