A Bluefin Tuna can swim faster than Michael Phelps

As the world catches Olympic fever, we marvel at the agility and skill of our country’s best and brightest athletes. With years of training and preparation for the upcoming games in London, their dedication and determination go unmatched. In just a few short days, we will watch the Earth’s most elite athletes shatter world records and defy the odds of greatness.  

But as the Nature Conservancy reminds us, no matter how fast, strong, or agile Team USA athletes prove to be, they are still pretty much no match at all for wild animals.

In an effort to bring awareness to planet protection, the Nature Conservancy put Olympic athletes head to head with the abilities of wild beasts. And in each instance, nature wins. Take a look at these real-life man vs. wild comparisons.

Michael Phelps Vs. Bluefin Tuna

Phelps may have super-human speed in the pool, but he is still no match for one of nature’s best swimmers. The Bluefin Tuna, found off the coast of Long Island, can reach speeds of up to 60 mph. Phelps taps out at about 6 mph in the water.

Usain Bolt Vs. Cheetah

Even the fastest man in the world can’t compete with the fastest animal in the world. The cheetah can run 71 mph for more than 300 yards. Bolt clocks in at 28 miles per hour over 110 yards. Impressive, but no match for nature.

Roger Federer Vs. White-handed Gibbon

Federer is plenty quick on his feet for a tennis player, bolting back and forth across the court to lunge at every serve. But the White-handed Gibbons, a primate, is far more agile with its ability to fling itself up to 50 feet between branches.

Kerri Walsh Vs. Mountain Lion

Nobody can argue that Walsh’s 47 inch vertical on the sand volleyball court isn’t astounding — nobody, that is, except the mountain lion. The wildcat has Walsh beat big time in the jump department with an unmatched 15 foot vertical.