Letters

Strokes of Genius

I was pleasantly surprised with your story on Michael Phelps (Water Craft, Aug. 23). After months of watching Phelps 's commercials and after reading an article in Time magazine that made him seem money-hungry and arrogant (the cover photo was particularly overbearing), I was prepared to not like him. Then I listened to poolside interviews, and my opinion of him quickly changed. And reading Tim Layden 's article, in which he told a story about Phelps 's showing his first gold medal to his mother, sealed the deal. Thanks for making Phelps out to be what he is: an extremely talented 19year-old kid enjoying himself on the world's biggest stage.

Erika Soublet, Portland

The mind-bending selection process for SI's Sportsman of the Year just got a lot easier. Michael Phelps should win the award hands down.

Ransom E. Barber, Annandale , Va.

Hostile Territory

I was deeply saddened after reading S.L. Price 's article about anti-American sentiment and protests against American foreign policy in Greece (American Graffiti, Aug. 23). Although I don't condone over-the-top celebrations, American athletes should be allowed to celebrate their country and their success with joy and excitement. What a shame that the current state of affairs does not allow them to do so.

Mandy Pfeifer, Willard, Mo.

What a difference six years make. When I visited Athens in 1998, our tour guide took us by the statue of President Truman and commented on how much the Greeks admired and loved him. Why? The Truman Doctrine saved Greece from the Communists after World War II. To read how this statue is now a target of protesters and anti-American graffiti is unbelievable. It clearly illustrates that all of the goodwill and support we had after Sept. 11 has been replaced by hatred because of the war in Iraq .

Larry C. Hansgen Columbus, Ohio