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Discovery Communications Media Michael Phelps

Discovery Channel pits Michael Phelps against (CGI) great white in Shark Week promo

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By John McCarthy | Opinion Editor

July 24, 2017 | 3 min read

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.

Phelps

Michael Phelps preps for a shark race

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 stunt was conducted at Mossel Bay, South Africa.

It comes after Ryan Lochte also helped promote the show with an ad showing him boating in dangerous waters.

Discovery Communications Media Michael Phelps

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Discovery Communications

Discovery, Inc. is an American mass media company based in Silver Spring, Maryland, first established in 1985. The company primarily operates factual television networks, such as its namesake Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Science, TLC, and other spin-off brands.

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