Source: TheDrum
Michael Phelps, record holding US swimmer with 23 Olympic gold medals to his name, has (sort of) raced a Great White shark to in a promotion with the Discovery Channel.
The 23-times gold medalist failed to outpace the shark on a 100-metre stretch but only by two seconds. Some viewers expressed disappointment that the Great White was in actual fact a CGI effect based on the recorded swimming speed of the shark.
Scientist Tristan Gutteridge said during the show: “Clearly, we can’t put Michael in one lane and a white shark on the far lane. We’re gonna have to do a simulation.”
Phelps, who wore a specially-fitted shark swim cut complete with a fin, said: “‘Honestly, the first thought that went through my head when I saw the shark, there’s probably very little chance for me to beat him.
“They swim so fast, it’s almost like a bullet. I don’t like taking silver medals but I’ll take one against a Great White.”
The moment of glory for #TeamShark!!! #PhelpsVsShark #SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/NWYp1CwiRa
— Shark Week (@SharkWeek) July 24, 2017
The stunt was conducted at Mossel Bay, South Africa.
For this year’s Shark Week, Discovery also made a promo with the singer Seal, using his name for a pun that fits the show perfectly: „It’s a bad week to be a Seal“
