Image: Michael Phelps, Simone Biles, Twitter Screenshot, YouTube Screenshot

Michael Phelps Fans Upset as Simone Biles Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom, but not him, Despite her Withdrawing from Team Finals During the Olympics

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In: CULTURE, SPORTS

On Thursday, Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe, and 15 more people received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden at the White House. Many Twitter users and non-Twitter users too we assume, were disappointed that swimmer Michael Phelps was not on the list.

This rings especially true considering that some feel Biles let America down when she withdrew from one of the Olympic competitions. If this was a mistake by Mr. Biden, it’s not surprising, and if it’s political correctness by what many see as his “handlers” instead, it would be seen as simply par for the course. Nevertheless, it’s an interesting moment to document, if nothing else. Essentially Sports said in part:

According to the White House, there are reasons beyond sporting achievements for Biles’s selection. She furthered the conversation around mental health in sports and advocated for children in foster care and victims of sexual assault. Some Michael Phelps fans, however, are not pleased with that explanation.

The sports website went on to report on Michael Phelps’s accomplishments, and how many of his fans were “enraged” based on tweets.

Some sports fans even thought that Phelps was “more deserving” than Biles even.

Another Twitter user pointed out the 28-7 difference in medals:

“To specify: Simone Biles medals: 7 Michael Phelps medals: 28 Simone Biles Golds: 4 Larissa Latynina Golds: 9 22 other gymnasts have more medals than Simone Biles. Once again, must be fun to run your mouth with made up facts. What world do you people even live in?”

It seems some may think that race or politics may be involved, but it’s hard to prove that.

“Simone Biles is a personal friend of Obama‘s. Why can’t olympians like Michael Phelps get one too? Michael Phelps is one of the best swimmers of his generation who has enjoyed many milestones in his career. He won 28 Olympic medals and is the most decorated Olympian of all time.”

Some pointed out the mental health aspect that affects both athletes:

“I do believe Michael Phelps has spoken out about metal [sic] health way before Simone and she wasn’t the first girl to speak out against abuse in her sport That said she is an amazing young lady very accomplished So both of you are right so let’s agree when we can.”

“Maybe you should catch up on the fact that she quit on her team and Michael Phelps has been everything that an American athlete should ever be. We’re awarding a quitter. But that’s part [sic] for the course for a generation that gives trophies to kids who come in fifth place”

“Simone Biles: An Olympic athlete who didn’t bother participating in the majority of her events in 2021. *Gets Medal of Freedom* Michael Phelps: Gets 28 medals over 4 Olympic games. Didn’t withdraw from a single event. *Gets nothing*”

“OK so then where is Michael Phelps CMF Jenny Thompsons, Darragh Torres, Natalie Coughlin, Allyson Felix. Katie Ledecky and others. She is a quitter. She let down the country and her team and did nothing, absolutely nothing to receive such a high honor as a CMF”

Stay tuned to Media Right News for possible updates on this developing situation.

Ian MacDonald
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