Phelps takes swimming to new heights

For those who cover the sport through more traditional means, Carlisle’s strategy is a bit unnerving. He can simply take Phelps’ message straight to the public without the scrutiny of a reporter asking potentially tough questions, or following up when the swimmer doesn’t provide a straight answer.

Already, some media members grumble quietly about the tight leash Phelps’ handlers — the folks at Octagon and coach Bob Bowman — keep on him. Some have even quipped that when Phelps speaks, often in clichés (“I can’t worry about eight gold medals until I win the first) and generalities (“I just wanted to get in the water and race”), you can barely see Carlisle and Bowman moving their lips.

But Team Phelps knows he can’t be treated like any other swimmer, just as Woods isn’t going to just stop by the ropes to sign autographs or agree to every interview request that comes his way.

After the long hours of practice and the countless sponsor duties, Phelps guards his remaining time zealously. Besides, he’s not that complicated. He never goes anywhere without his cell phone, often texting away even while he’s talking. He loves to poke fun at other swimmers, with 19-year-old Katie Hoff, his former teammate at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club and pseudo-little sister, taking the brunt of his abuse.

“He has a real dry sense of humor,” said former Olympic swimmer Mel Stewart, who now covers the sport from the other side of the camera. “If he finds something to get on you about, he doesn’t let up.”

When Phelps does turn serious, he often talks about his desire to take swimming to a new level in America’s sporting hierarchy. He knows it will never be as popular as baseball or the NFL, but sees no reason for swimming to go into mothballs when it’s not an Olympic year.

Hip to be a swimmer
Clearly, Phelps’ presence has brought new fans — or at least plenty of curious onlookers — to check out this man-child with the exceptionally long torso, the wingspan of an albatross, the feet like flippers. He’s inspired countless youngsters to head to their neighborhood pool and try to be like Mike — and we’re not talking about Jordan.

Suddenly, it’s hip to be a swimmer.

“When you see him in commercials, he just looks cool. What he’s doing looks cool,” said Chris Davis, the founder of Swim Atlanta, the country’s largest local club with some 1,800 members. “For four years now, we’ve had him swimming across the ocean and racing dolphins. It’s glamorizing a sport that’s never really been glamorized before.”

Phelps is very much aware of the pivotal role he plays in this transformation. He’s an avid fan of ESPN and sounds downright giddy anytime his name shows up on SportsCenter (he recently filmed a couple of commercials for the show). He’ll excitedly ring Carlisle when his name pops up on “Pardon The Interruption.”

“I’ll talk to people and they’ll say, ’I’m going to be watching the Olympics because of you,”’ Phelps said. “Obviously, that brings new people into the sport. That whole thing is definitely coming along, and hopefully it will come along even more after this year.”

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