Just a day after stating that he felt Olympic basketball players should be paid, creating a fascinating national debate about the essence of the Olympics, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade retracted his statement on Thursday, saying, “I do not want to be paid to go to the Olympics.”

But what do you think? Should Olympic US basketball stars get paid for the time they put into training camps and the extra wear and tear they put on their bodies? The consensus here is that no, it should be enough of an honor to carry your country’s colors and that money should be the last thing from an athlete’s mind, especially one as rich as an NBA player. Just because Wade took back his statement, doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel like he should be compensated, just like Ray Allen feels. And if pros want to get paid, why not replace them with amateurs, who would kill for the opportunity?

Should Olympians be compensated? Or is the experience and the camaraderie enough to last a lifetime?

Just a day after stating that he felt Olympic basketball players should be paid, creating a fascinating national debate about the essence of the Olympics, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade retracted his statement on Thursday, saying, “I do not want to be paid to go to the Olympics.”

But what do you think? Should Olympic US basketball stars get paid for the time they put into training camps and the extra wear and tear they put on their bodies? The consensus here is that no, it should be enough of an honor to carry your country’s colors and that money should be the last thing from an athlete’s mind, especially one as rich as an NBA player. Just because Wade took back his statement, doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel like he should be compensated, just like Ray Allen feels. And if pros want to get paid, why not replace them with amateurs, who would kill for the opportunity?

Should Olympians be compensated? Or is the experience and the camaraderie enough to last a lifetime?

Unbelievable American ties Spitz with gold medal number seven in crazy close race

SCOTT JACOBS

Seven for seven. And Michael Phelps has one more to go, to try to add to his impecably brilliant Olympic resume.

The human turned fish won a race that was so close you still can’t tell who touched the wall first. Milorad Cavic appeared to have him beat as he darted towards the wall, with just a meters left, and Phelps remarkable run looked like it was over. But somehow, almost as unexplainable as Phelps transformation into a near super-hero, Phelps got his hand to the wall first.

His mom holding up two fingers, thinking he had won silver, quickly found out he had won, and she crumbled to the ground in utter shock. There’s nothing shocking anymore about Phelps’ run. History be damned! Tomorrow he goes for a sacred spot in history: eight.

For the moment he shares history with the legendary Mark Spitz, who made his splash in the 1972 Munich Olympics, winning seven golds, a mark few thought would ever be touched.

There is an electronic touch system on the wall, so no matter how close the race looked Phelps did win.

It’s hard to believe he didn’t run away with it.

Having seen Phelps shatter every swimming record he’s gone for, watching him fail to break a world record in the 100 fly was almost surprising.

And so, the stage is set at the Water Cube tomorrow where Phelps will go for the last gold in an unblemished Olympics only he could have dreamed of.

A great story in 2004, Phelps has become an icon practically over-night at these games and for good reason.

He’s a likable guy, a personable guy, with a smile to light the sky. His workout regime is unbelievable, and he fights hard for everything he gets.

You just want to root for the guy, and everything he has done.

Everyone will be pulling for him tommorrow. I know I will.

A spot in unchartered waters awaits for him.

It’s only fitting for the man quickly becoming larger then life.