Genuine is not something that’s easily definable
— you just know it when you see it.
Genuine is not something that’s easily definable — you just know it when you see it.
Well, even the most cynical of cynics could see it Thursday night in Morgan Hill.
During the recent Olympic Games, you no doubt saw American Micheal Phelps swim his way to six gold medals. You no doubt heard about his hard work and humility.
I’m sure someone on TV told you he was a genuine guy.
Seeing and hearing on television isn’t like seeing and hearing in person, though. As hard as it may try, television is simply no substitute for reality.
Reality is what happens when a meet-and-greet session with complete strangers morphs from a planned 30 minutes to nearly two hours.
In person at least, we don’t often get to see world-renowned athletes in this kind of situation. We don’t get to see how they react when the cameras have been turned off and the night has grown long.
That’s what happened at the end of Disney’s “Swim with the Stars” tour stop at the Morgan Hills Aquatics Center.
Having to move the show to the city at the last minute, perhaps organizers weren’t expecting a couple hundred fans to shell out $100 each for VIP tickets and a chance to meet Phelps, along with fellow Olympic gold medalists Ian Crocker and Lenny Krayzelburg.
For Phelps, everyone had an item or three to sign. Everyone wanted to get that snapshot they could show all their friends.
So on and on it went. Sign. Smile. Sign. Smile. Oh, and can we get a hug Michael? Can we get some swimming advice? Can we get you to make a funny face in this picture?
As the only media person to witness this whole parade of people, I’ve got some good news to report.
Phelps the person is as genuine as Phelps the international star.
The 19-year-old has done this for weeks now – this being the last stop on a cross-country tour. But you know that smile that was so recognizable in Athens?
It was the same smile he gave to every adoring fan Thursday night.
He showered young swimmers with encouraging words. He talked to people about his Mom. He answered every question he was asked.
The guy was just as cheery as the clock approached 11 as he was when the night began.
“Come on Michael,” I asked afterward, “Doesn’t it ever get at least a little tiring?”
“No no, it’s fine,” Phelps quickly replied. “It’s a great feeling – definitely the best feeling I’ve ever had … to see little kids looking up to you.
“These kids have a possibility to do what I’ve done in this sport and I just want to let them know that.”
Is this kid serious? Doesn’t he know how millionaire athletes are supposed to act?
Doesn’t this guy know who he is?
Well, actually … yes.
“He’s a genuine guy,” said Phelps’ agent, Peter Carlisle. “When you experience all the hype and attention and fame he’s been through in the last few months and don’t change one bit … well, I think that says a little bit about you.”
Can’t take the word of an agent?
How about Sean Foley, one of the workers involved in the cross-country tour?
“Genuine. Refreshing,” said Foley when asked about the Phelps he’s gotten to know outside the pool. “On the bus and all these places nobody sees him but us, he’s still the same nice guy everybody hears about.
“And when talking about dedication and hard work and doing things day-in and day-out, he’s an extremely good role model for the kids.”
What does tough guy Marc Alvarez, who runs security at these Michaelmania events, say about this millionaire teenager he’s paid to watch?
“He’s a great kid. Very polite … loves crowds. He’s really into promoting his sport,” Alvarez said. “Of course he misses his family and his friends and all that, but he understands that comes with all this.
“He’s a very mature young man. He’s accepted the responsibility of being a role model.”
Michael, please tell us that’s not true. Remember, we aren’t supposed to look up to athletes anymore. Big stars like you tell the kids to look elsewhere for heroes.
In many ways, that’s legitimate. I’ve never been one to glorify athletes. They play a game for a living.
Cops and firefighters are more important. Parents are more important. Teachers are more important. I could go on.
But every once in awhile, isn’t it nice to see an athlete who realizes wide-eyed kids are watching his every move? That there’s a certain responsibility – deserved or not – that goes beyond the field or the court or the pool?
“I enjoy taking a role like that,” Phelps said. “There’s definitely something very special about the job that I do and the impact I can have.
“That’s meaningful to me.”
Genuine – it’s not something that’s easily definable.
You just know it when you see it.
Brett Edgerton is a columnist for South Valley Newspapers. He can be reached at be*******@************ch.com.
