POLL: Who is the better athlete: Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt?

Hard to compare two athletes in two different disciplines. Similar to saying who is better...a baseball player or a football player. But, if I had to pick one, I'd chose Bolt...fastest man in the world.

Dunno. Bolt has never lost in the olympics before and Phelps has. It's hard to tell because their both not the same event and sport. It would be easier if the comparison was Bolt and Yohan Blake or Phelps and Ryan Lochte. Phelps has attended more events than Bolt has, so it's a little unfair compared to Bolt who only competes in the 100m, 200m and a few relays with the Jamaican team. Phelps has a little more experience than Bolt. Bolt is the fastest man in the world. They both are I think equally praised...........

........... but I have come to my decision. I have to give this to Phelps by a tiny bit because he was broken the record for the most decorated Olympian, most golds ever in the Olympic history, broke the record for most golds in one Olympic. However Bolt has broken the record many times (sometimes his own) but he sometimes boast on how great and legendary he is and Phelps is low profile and never boasts. Bolt IS legendary but he should cut down the boasting and let the people talk. NOT SAYING BOLT SUCKS HE IS THE BEST DAMN SPRINTER IN HISTORY.

Ps. I'm not American nor racist so forgive me Bolt fans.

Phelps hands down. Bolt only runs the individual 100 and 200 meters plus the team relay and nothing else. Phelps swims in all 4 strokes (free, breast, back, and fly) and at 100, 200 and 400 meters plus the team relays. Phelps won 8 Gold medals in 2008 (Olympic record) blowing Bolt out of the "water". Phelps has won 22 Olympic medals (18 gold / 2 silver / 2 bronze) and is the most decorated Olympian of all time. There is really no discussion.

They both do completely different things. If I were to choose probably Bolt though. Phelps seems really interested in making money with all the commercials and things. I know that isn't a good reason to hate him, but I don't hate him. I'm just saying that it makes him seem a bit greedy over Bolt. They're both actually good athletes, clearly.

this is too complicated to evaluate the two using fact swimming and working are so distinctive. the two have ruled their activities for the previous 2 (3 for Phelps) Olympics and the two will fairly be remembered for a whilst! additionally, i'm specific if Phelps tried to run the 100m against Bolt, he'd lose by skill of a great deal of time. The opposite is likewise real; if Bolt tried to swim the a hundred loose, Phelps might fairly beat him. If we've been basically evaluating athleticism, it would be a tossup. even if, "superb Olympic athlete" additionally involves that the athlete demonstrates the spirit of the Olympics. this suggests, not in basic terms win, yet do it properly and teach some sportsmanship. Bolt postures, ignores handshakes from his opposition as a manner to pose for journalists (even however, granted, i can in basic terms bear in strategies that happening one time) and broadcasts himself "the suited athlete ever". meanwhile, Phelps strikes me as a great deal much less boastful and congratulated a swimmer who beat him in Phelps' suited experience (the 200 fly) and suggested that he regarded forward to watching him (the different swimmer become Chad le Clos) swim interior the destiny. between the two considered one of them, in my opinion of direction, Phelps is the extra desirable Olympian. additionally, this is addressing yet somebody else who replied that Bolt become extra desirable using fact extra events are available in to swimmers: sure, there are numerous categories of strokes for each distance, even if, swimming all strokes is amazingly many times like with the flexibility to run the 100m sprint and the 400m. basically using fact a swimmer is sweet at one stroke, does not in any way advise they're going to be good on the others.

Phelps and he is not a show off as Bolt. Phelps retired and Bolt wont be as good either in 4 years.

Well, if it's in terms of good sportsmanship, I'd say Usain Bolt

(look at this: http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7y76qIvA11qdiu3b.g...

In terms of endurance, (as well as the fact he also has speed) and number of medals, I'd say Michael Phelps.

In terms of who's more enjoyably/amazing to watch: Bolt.

Over all, I guess they're even.

Ooo ! -A TOUGH One !! :o But upon CAREful Consideration; I would have to give the "Edge" to Phelps... Because I think he's had a little more "Experience" in His Career- than Bolt has ( so FAR ). And He might be more of a "Team Player"- when it comes to letting Others take some of the "Credit"- for the Successes He's Had... .. . :)

I genuinely believe it's impossible to say that one is better than the other.

*****

SteelersMan, that's a ridiculous argument.

Swimmers are capable of being excellent at more than one stroke. Swimmers have both individual and relay medley events. Swimmers are capable of being world-beaters at a longer range of distances. Swimmers get 4x200m relay races.

If Bolt wins the 100m, 200m, 400m, both relays, 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles in Rio he'll have won seven gold medals at a single Games. Would you consider that to be inferior to Phelps' eight gold medals in Beijing?

Michael Phelps....just on the gold medals count :)