Yes, I pointed that out a few letters up-thread. There's actually two things to note:

o) High Schoolers swim "short course," i.e. in a 25 yard pool. So there's the 200yd and 500yd freestyle, but no 400 meter freestyle. No "meter" anything, in point of fact.

o) That girl's mother *could* have swum 400 meter races while *in* High School, if she was swimming AAU long-course events (with the Santa Clara Swim Club, for example). She couldn't have swum them *for* her high school, though. (And if she *was* swimming AAU events, she had the possibility to be an "elite athlete.")

This piece along with your piece of steroids where both great and more important took great courage to write. As seen by the letters here telling the truth especially an athlete telling the truth is hard for most to hear. I would be surprised that your reaction to fans is not the default position of the majority of athletes and I don't blame them or you one bit. The disdain that so many fans have for the athletes they watch is unseen in every other profession except politics and law. So many are quick to insult and belittle not only your accomplishments but also to belittle what sports means. Of course the fans are quick to turn it around and demand respect "because with out them their would be no sports" while ordering the next picture of Bud Lite at the sports bar.

Mommy really couldn't have swum the 400 meters in High School since distances are in yards and there is no 400 distance only 500.

Also, you say you were watching the 400 IM so why would she have mentioned the 400 freestyle?

Alright, I'm sitting here watching the men's gymnastics and am literally in awe of what these dudes can do...you ever really watched the rings? Holy Jeebus, that's insane! I'm pretty sure I wouldn't even be able to get myself flipped around once.

wow.

that's all really...these dudes are crazy!

(wait, never having competed in gymnastics am I allowed to say this? ;)

(kidding! I'm kidding!)

And that is too bad.

Anyone that has done competitive swimming knows that the absolute best kid they ever saw didn't make it. The clock doesn't allow for fantasy, and if you are the 10th best 12 YO in your state, you don't need much of an IQ to know the score.

Unfortunately, football is the most seriously run activity in high schools and colleges. Maybe some of the professional schools have people working at their absolute highest level, but the football coach is at it 24/7. And they are willing to do almost anything to win. People that have participated in this particular activity not only know where they stood, but also sacrificed a huge amount of time and pain to get to their non elite level.

Even people watching a sport like golf, assuming that they have played any competitive golf, know that they aren't even close to playing the same game as the pros.

So everyone knows and thats too bad. Most people have done something in a quantitative hierarchy and KNOW exactly where they stand.

The only thing you know is that you made it to an elite level and then failed. At least you got a book out of it.

There are lots of videos on you tube about Miss Sey.

I wanted to feel sorry for her after seeing this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oo7umomoxQ&feature=related

But since I'm not an elite athlete, I can't empathize with someone who crashed to the ground in front of a worldwide fan audience.

I'm sure it hurt when she came crashing down on that leg. Well, I think I'm sure, but since I was never an elite gymnast, I really know nothing about being in excruciating pain. I just think I do, but you know, I don't know a thing about the struggle of being an elite gymnast.

In reading the piece, I really felt the most of the contempt was self-directed. She was stating something about herself that she clearly regretted. That's a step towards change. I don't pity you Kitchen girl, you are no one of importance to me. (You seem to be a bit of a bully.) I just don't understand why so many people took this so personally. It is brave to write something like this--beating up on the author is pointless. Beating up on me is even more pointless. I am no one of importance either. ;-)

You would think that someone blessed with the fortitude, genetics, resources, and time to make it to an international sporting stage would be grateful for the opportunity. You would also think that she would appreciate the fact that others would be willing to share their insight and common experiences with her, however limited both may be. Instead, she can barely contain her disdain for those regular folks who reminisce about past forays into athletic levels that don’t meet her standards. As remarkable as the author may have been at her sport, she didn’t seem to learn much from her time as competitive athlete. Demanding recognition and adoration from the masses for all of her hard-won accomplishments is hardly what the Olympics are about.

By the way, there are plenty of people who have the talent to compete at the highest levels of sports, but the lack of support and money preclude any chance of this ever happening. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, but her snobbery adds insult to injury for millions of Americans who can't afford the personal trainers and facility costs that give more fortunate athletes a sometimes unsurmountable edge.

At least you recognize that you are a horrible, condescending jerk, so I shouldn't have to tell you that.

Upon reading this article, I realized, I hate you. I really, really hate you. Do you have friends, you unbearable snob? Just because you could do some flips and cartwheels when you were younger, does that give you any reason to pooh-pooh the efforts of athletes who you think are beneath you?

I can't remember the last time I read a more self-important piece of tripe. Tonya Harding had the wrong person attacked. I think a two-by-four across your smug mouth would do you some good.