After 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps spoke at a U.S. Congressional Subcommittee meeting this week in favor of increased U.S. support for anti-doping programs, one of his fiercest rivals had some questions about Phelps’ motivation.
Milorad Cavic, the California-born Serbian national who went head-to-head against Phelps in the 100 fly at the 2008 Olympics and 2009 World Championships, only to come up short both times, hinted in a tweet that Phelps could have spoken out more about the issue during his career and is only doing so now because he is conveniently retired.
“Doping has been a problem and it’s only getting worse. I, too, don’t know what to tell my son, nor would I wish that my son ever be half as good as I was knowing what he’ll face tomorrow. People get tested, some more than others… I could even recall Lance Armstrong getting tested 3x in one day, and never failed once, but that’s not the problem,” Cavic wrote.
Phelps, too, noted in his speech before Congress that he had been subject to rigorous drug testing procedures but would still welcome more, particularly in terms of standardizing anti-doping procedures worldwide.
“At the moment, we’re not able to detect new drugs and advanced methods of doping. Why you’re seeking reform now that you’re retired, and never before supported blood passports, is beyond us all, perhaps even convenient.” – Phelps
Cavic continued by declaring that he was not accusing Phelps of doping, but his words imply something close.
“I’m not suggesting you’re a cheat, you’ve gradually improved your times throughout your career, but your recovery rate is nothing short of science fiction… We all just wished we could understand it.
“Anyway, I really do hope that you’ll stick with this, because in case our sons go pro some day, I’d like to think you made a difference. #NeverTooLate” – Cavic
With the “science fiction” comment, Cavic is referring to Phelps’ unprecedented ability to race 17 different times over a week of competition and still be at in top form at the end. It’s unclear what motivated Cavic to post his frustrations for the public to see.
Cavic is a whiner
Bitter but perhaps true ?? Joe Stott Harvey Mcgreavy-gill
he sounds bitter
You don’t think he’s still carrying the torch about losing to the GOAT @. Beijing?
Naw!
Cavic has a point.
Sam Biddle Tim Lane is this sour grapes from the Serb ?
Poor looser
Mary Maxwell Margreiter
sour grapes!
Seth de Swardt
Too much talk. Get it in the pool.
Peter Sameh Ezzat
Cavic seems salty but does present a valid point… Maybe MP was too busy putting in work to address congress and pioneer a movement…
So maybe Cavic should step up and make anti-doping efforts the center of his efforts, before he “conveniently retires”. Easy to be a critic; step up and act, Mr. Cavic.
Whatever
Cavic is a loser… If he has proof, he better proves it…
Don’t make him come back Cavic!
even if he sounds bitter, it doesn’t detract from the point, which is a valid one. don’t know why people wouldn’t be suspicious of the greatest athlete of all time in a sporting world riddled with doping. people just want to believe in a fantasy where their hero can beat chemically enhanced drug cheats while supposedly being clean. just a thought.
A Loser is a loser and he will forever be a loser: Cavic! Kindly go and “sing” at a different table, Sir…We’ve got no change left…
Well done Mr Cavic. We know it’s tough to stand up for truth when the Americans control truth and lies in so many ways in world sport and politics. You won in 2008 and we respect that. We wish at the time more could have been done, but tough when Phelps sponsors is also the timekeeper. Thanks for having the guts to speak Mr Cavic. May truth always be heard and may it create a better world for all.
I do hope that outlandish conspiracy theories (without an ounce of non-circumstantial evidence) are not common in your definition of the truth.
Simply immature
First of all, if you got a gold medal stolen from you then you wouldn’t be publicly praising Phelps either. It’s already common knowledge that Cavic deserves that gold and Phelps failed to recognize this as a true athlete would have.
Besides this, Cavic could have made this statement a little less about Phelps but the point he makes is totally valid.