Michael Phelps raced a shark, but people aren’t happy

IT WAS dubbed “Great Gold vs Great White” as Olympic legend Michael Phelps took on a shark. But viewers were left fuming.

CAN you blame him?

Social media users were tearing Michael Phelps to shreds for his “race” against a Great White shark on Monday — calling it a “scam” — after he chose to swim side-by-side with a simulation, instead of the real thing.

Viewers everywhere were confused over the way the televised swimming competition went down.

Don't say Phelps is racing a shark if you're not going to put him against an actual shark #PhelpsVsShark #SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/qy1mlApUiz

— Breyanna Davis (@breyannachenal) July 24, 2017

So you mean to tell me Michael Phelps didn't even race a real shark? It was just a simulation. I'm mad. More like Shark WEAK! pic.twitter.com/gwIGTe7Y9p

— Frank Costa (@feistyfrank) July 24, 2017

smh Michael Phelps isn't actually racing a shark. He's just racing a simulation of a shark. Biggest scam of 2017

— Marcus ¬ (@M_Frosti) July 24, 2017

Those hoping to see the Olympic gold medalist swim side-by-side with the ocean’s most fearsome predator were sadly disappointed as Phelps and the Great White each took turns running the 100m race course at different times.

Researchers with the Discovery Channel first recorded the time of the shark, then let the 32-year-old swim by himself in the waters off the coast of South Africa — which to his credit, is a danger in itself.

During Phelps’ run, producers superimposed an image of the Great White on the other side of him to give the appearance of an actual, head-to-head swimming race.

While it ultimately helped keep the Olympian safe, the move didn’t sit well with viewers.

I WAS EXPECTING MICHAEL PHELPS TO BE RACING NEXT TO A REAL LIVE WHITE SHARK...IM REALLY UPSET RN @Discovery

— Addie Ramsey (@addiee_ramsey) July 24, 2017

Turns out “Michael Phelps races a shark” was really just “Michael Phelps swims alone and then compares his time to a shark’s time.”

— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) July 24, 2017

Though most people were upset, there were some who understood where the race organisers was coming from.

Wait... people were actually mad that Phelps didn't race an ACTUAL shark?? 😂😂 come on people.. use your heads lol

— Jeremy Gaunce (@JDG21) July 24, 2017

Well duh. Those of that thought @MichaelPhelps was going to be racing side-by-side a great white are seriously idiots. #Phelps #SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/6qE34G70BE

— Maddie Pass (@madpass_93) July 24, 2017

Although completely logical, the final event was somewhat of a letdown.

I was really hoping Phelps would be in the same water as the shark #PhelpsVShark

— Tyler Cavalli (@RadioCavalli) July 24, 2017

"Obviously, we cannot put a great white shark in one lane and Michael Phelps in the other."#SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/w6E4Tl1D5X

— CAR Panthers News (@CarPanthersNews) July 24, 2017

When Michael Phelps said he was gonna race a shark this is how I pictured it happening #SharkWeek pic.twitter.com/GiEfJssNhL

— Ryan Homler (@RHomler) July 24, 2017

The “race” ended in dramatic fashion, with Jaws edging out Phelps by just two seconds.

The shark, age unknown, managed to swim the length of the open ocean course in 36.1 seconds — while the Olympian did it in 38.1.

To assure his safety, Discovery placed numerous divers around the Olympic gold medallist to keep an eye on the predators.

Braving the frigid 11C waters, the 32-year-old ultimately tried to beat the shark’s time by using a “monofin” and one millimetre-thick wet suit.

To be fair, Great Whites can swim up to 40km/h, which is light years ahead of Phelps’ top speed of 10km/h per hour.

Experts described on the show how the Olympic superhero actually stood a chance against the much-faster shark thanks to his endurance.

While the Great White swam the race at a slow pace — with brief bursts of speed — Phelps attempted to outpace the shark by cruising and maintaining the same steady rate.

But it wasn’t enough to score the victory.

Rematch? Next time..warmer water. #SW30 @Discovery @SharkWeek

— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) July 24, 2017