Conspiracy theory checklist: Blurry photographs? Check. Vague claims of "big business" interference? Check. Adding two and two to make five? Check. Yes, the "Did Michael Phelps really win the 100m butterfly race?" meme has all the makings of the classic conspiracy theory.
While it may not rank up there with "who shot JFK?" or the 9/11 "troofers", Phelpsgate could one day join the minor rungs of the genre, such as the death of Shelley or water fluoridation among the conspiricionados and the swivel-eyed tendency.
The website 001ofasecond.com lays out the case for Milorad Cavic touching the wall first, asking: "How is it that the official timekeeper of the event is the same company that sponsors Phelps since 2004? Isn't there a clear conflict of interest here?"
Actually the site makes the case pretty well, and includes this ringing peroration:
Shame on you FINA! Shame on you OMEGA! Shame on you IOC for allowing this charade to unfold in front of our very own eyes!
Sadly, it's not true. But since when has that ever got in the way of a good conspiracy theory?
Update: The other emerging issue today: the Michael Phelps backlash.
Updated update: Silver medallist Milorad Cavic is of course Serbian, not Croatian. Sorry for the mistake.
