When I swam in high school, that was one thing the coach drilled into our heads over and over and over again- it doesn't matter who gets to the wall first, it matters who slaps the timer first. We were told to hit it, and hit it hard. Hit it with your head if that'll get you to the wall faster.

Every competitive swimmer in the world knows this rule. Cavic thought he had it in the bag and coasted in. Phelps dug in hard and hit the timer first, stealing the win. Doesn't matter if Cavic got to the wall first, stood up and started waving to the crowd- until he hits the timer, he hasn't finished the race.

If you've ever watched pro cycling, you've seen the same thing happen- a cocky rider raises his arms for the win and a smarter, faster sprinter beats him to the line.

Cavic got cocky. It cost him the race.

I was going to post the exact same thing as Buck-50 did above. I swam competitively for 15 years and ever swimmer, from under-10's on up to collegiate and beyond, is vigorously instructed in how to finish a race and activate the touchpad sensor.

Exactly! My then 6 yr old son beat out the kid in the next lane by 'out touching' him. Why? Because that is how they are trained! If kids in neighborhood leagues are trained thay, why wouldn't Olympic caliber? Just shows that Phelps was trained better.