phelps-and-coughlin-will-have-to-miss-opening-ceremony

london2012.blogs.nytimes.com/.../ “We never go to opening ceremonies,” Phelps said, “because you are standing for so many hours. Being on your feet for five to six hours takes a lot out of you, and it does take days to recover.” Between them, Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin have appeared in seven Olympics and not a single opening ceremony. Blame the schedule; the first swimming events take place the morning after the long night’s march. In Beijing in 2008, participating athletes were required to line up hours before the 8 p.m. start, and Phelps and Coughlin, like most swimmers, are conditioned to stay off their feet the day before they race.