I think it's good he dropped the 200. First, the story would have been "can Michael get 8 golds again?", distracting from all the other potentially great stories. It would have added greatly to the pressure on him, which he probably doesn't want. Getting 8 in Beijing required Phelps to be at the top of his game (which he obviously was), but it also required a substantial amount of luck. 100 fly, 4x100 free relay, goggles in the 2fly, etc. It's unlikely his lucky stars would align so perfectly again. Second, given the worldwide competition in the 4x100 free relay, it's unlikely the US will repeat there. There would go the 8 golds and be a big disappointment, at least to NBC.
Dropping the 200fr probably makes for a stronger free relay, lets some other swimmers' stories emerge, and takes a good deal of pressure off Phelps, probably helping him in the other events.
I agree to some extent but isn't the story now going to be "why isn't he swimming the 200 free since he won it at the trials and since he's the fastest American ever?" Also, once that dies down, it will be "can he win 7 golds this time around?" So, it seems he will still have a lot of pressure no matter what. Also, I don't really see how this makes for stronger 800 free relay, unless you're thinking 3 less 200 races will allow him to be fresher for the relay.
I think it's good he dropped the 200. First, the story would have been "can Michael get 8 golds again?", distracting from all the other potentially great stories. It would have added greatly to the pressure on him, which he probably doesn't want. Getting 8 in Beijing required Phelps to be at the top of his game (which he obviously was), but it also required a substantial amount of luck. 100 fly, 4x100 free relay, goggles in the 2fly, etc. It's unlikely his lucky stars would align so perfectly again. Second, given the worldwide competition in the 4x100 free relay, it's unlikely the US will repeat there. There would go the 8 golds and be a big disappointment, at least to NBC.
Dropping the 200fr probably makes for a stronger free relay, lets some other swimmers' stories emerge, and takes a good deal of pressure off Phelps, probably helping him in the other events.
I agree to some extent but isn't the story now going to be "why isn't he swimming the 200 free since he won it at the trials and since he's the fastest American ever?" Also, once that dies down, it will be "can he win 7 golds this time around?" So, it seems he will still have a lot of pressure no matter what. Also, I don't really see how this makes for stronger 800 free relay, unless you're thinking 3 less 200 races will allow him to be fresher for the relay.
