yuiop wrote:
You don't get it. You're being hypocritical. As you said, monetary deals are made "during races," yet Dressel didn't have time to think about it in the "middle of a race." BS. Based on his quotes, he wanted to win the race, period. Man up and let the other guys know that you're all in, every man for himself. That's all I'm saying. As a former pro, you should understand this as well.
Maybe you're just trolling at this point...
As a former pro I understand things you obviously don't, and I'm not faulting you for that. Just pointing out that there are things you can't quite get when you haven't been there.
What you're missing is that these kids are amateurs. Most people like to romanticize being a professional athlete, but it is a PROFESSION. So when deals are made in professional sport (such as, let me win the race and I'll pay you double the prize money) and agreed upon you do not go against your word. Otherwise athletes and agents make it very hard on you to stay professional.
As an amateur, by showing up to a race, especially when you traveled 6 hours or whatever Dressel did, it is common knowledge "you're all in, every man for himself." As an amateur athlete you should understand this much at the very least. The only athletes that make deals, ESPECIALLY mid-race deals, are the ones who either aren't willing to suffer enough to win or simply don't have the legs to win.
Again, Anderson and Maton totally got played after they tried to play Dressel. Huge huge props to Dressel. He is going to be very successful; he has something the other two do not.