--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Being compared to Ian Thorpe, that could…" description: "\"Being compared to Ian Thorpe, that could be one of the greatest compliments you could ever get in swimming - being compared to him and Mark Spitz.\" — M..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/michael-phelps-2388_mark_being-compared-to-ian-thorpe-that-could_813990.jpg" --- # Being compared to Ian Thorpe, that could be one of the… ![“Being compared to Ian Thorpe, that could be one of the greatest compliments you could ever get in swimming - being compared to him and Mark Spitz.” quote by Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/michael-phelps-2388_mark_being-compared-to-ian-thorpe-that-could_813990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/michael-phelps-2388_mark_being-compared-to-ian-thorpe-that-could_813990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/michael-phelps-2388_mark_being-compared-to-ian-thorpe-that-could_813990.jpg) > “Being compared to Ian Thorpe, that could be one of the greatest compliments you could ever get in swimming - being compared to him and Mark Spitz.” [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Being compared to legendary swimmers is a high honor and motivates further excellence. **In simple terms:** Comparisons to greats boost pride and drive. Key Takeaway Use praise as fuel for continued improvement. Themes recognition motivation legacy Mood inspired determined Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - training - public speaking - media appearances Key Concepts sports excellence role models competition Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle pressure from fame? - What does it mean to live up to a legend? A Different Perspective Comparisons can create unrealistic expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compared Ian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compared-ian-293993/) [Compliments Swimming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compliments-swimming-293989/) [Ian Thorpe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ian-thorpe-293991/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Olympics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/olympics/) [Swimming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swimming/) [Swimming Compared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swimming-compared-293990/) [Thorpe Greatest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thorpe-greatest-293992/) ## Related quotes > [The support I've received from my sponsors has enabled me to raise the bar in swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-support-i-ve-received-from-my-sponsors-has-enabled-me-to-raise/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I've always been fortunate in that I've been able to put myself in my own zone and relax. It comes naturally. I'm lucky to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-ve-always-been-fortunate-in-that-i-ve-been-able-to-put-myself-in-my/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [Swimming is fun. 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I was trying, I just wasn't going anywhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-don-t-like-to-be-second-in-anything-i-was-trying-i-just-wasn-t/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. Then, once I started falling in love with sports, I got more comfortable with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-only-reason-i-started-swimming-was-for-water-safety-then-once-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I grew up around the pool with my sisters. Both of my sisters swam. I was always there. So I thought, why not? My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-grew-up-around-the-pool-with-my-sisters-both-of-my-sisters-swam-i/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) ## More by Michael Phelps > [The support I've received from my sponsors has enabled me to raise the bar in swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/the-support-i-ve-received-from-my-sponsors-has-enabled-me-to-raise/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I'm definitely ahead of the schedule where I thought I was going to be at. I'm really happy. I was excited to race and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-m-definitely-ahead-of-the-schedule-where-i-thought-i-was-going-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/you-can-t-put-a-limit-on-anything-the-more-you-dream-the-farther-you/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I think with practice, you can being whatever you want to be, and with a goal you can go in any direction that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-think-with-practice-you-can-being-whatever-you-want-to-be-and-with/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I learned how fast you can go from being an international hero to being a reference in a joke on a late night talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-learned-how-fast-you-can-go-from-being-an-international-hero-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I'm the same kind of guy before all this happened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-m-the-same-kind-of-guy-before-all-this-happened/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [The only reason I started swimming was for water safety. 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And I want to change the world of swimming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-want-to-test-my-maximum-and-see-how-much-i-can-do-and-i-want-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [You can't put a limit anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/you-can-t-put-a-limit-anything/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [I haven't swam in any of the rivers outside of Baltimore. I try to keep it in the pool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-phelps/i-haven-t-swam-in-any-of-the-rivers-outside-of-baltimore-i-try-to/) [Michael Phelps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-phelps/) > [This is my 20th year in the sport. I've known swimming and that's it. 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