I'm not going to lie and say that I’m not a little disappointed in Phelp's decision not to swim the 2 Back. That race would be incredible in Athens. However, it is a more sensible outlook for Athens.
My prediction:
He will get in all three relays.
He will come home with 6 golds and 3 silvers. (He'll get silver in the 100 fly, 200 back and 200 free.)
And then the media will get all bent out of shape about his "failure" to win 7 golds.
That would be am amazing achievement. I am really looking forward to this Olympics.
His coach will be at the British swimming coaches Conference in October. I hope to talk to him then.:)
From www.usaswiming.org
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Phelps announces individual event schedule for Athens (7/14/2004)
Michael Phelps has announced the individual events program that he will swim in Athens. After a discussion Tuesday night with his coach Bob Bowman, the two have decided that Phelps will swim the 400m IM, the 200m free, the 200m fly, the 200m IM and the 100m fly. He will be foregoing the 200m back.
“We decided to save the 200m back for another opportunity,” Phelps said.
Bryce Hunt has been added to the Olympic roster in the 200m back.
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Originally posted by danjobry3
From www.usaswiming.org
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Phelps announces individual event schedule for Athens (7/14/2004)
Michael Phelps ... will be foregoing the 200m back.
OK then. 6 golds and TWO silvers.
Actually, dropping the 200 back may improve his chances to have enough gas to win the 100 fly.
i give michael HUGE credit for foregoing the 200 back. he now has himself in 8 events, including relays, right? good for him, and how awesome for bryce hunt, who was in third place, but now gets to go!
i wish the media had as much maturity as this 19 year old guy- instead they will have a heyday if he "fails" to break Spitz's record. so very sad!
also, has anyone been reading janet evan's commentary during the trials? if so, what has your take been on her comments about the older swimmers at the meet?
Originally posted by swimprincess
i give michael HUGE credit for foregoing the 200 back. he now has himself in 8 events, including relays, right?
He actually only qualified in 5 individual events and 1 relay - the 4x200 Free Relay.
He didn't swim the 100 free at trials, so he's not a given on the 4x100 Free Relay. However, since he did a 49.05 earlier this year, that time is faster than anyone but Lezak's at the trials. I think this time justifies swimming Michael in the finals of the relay at the Olympics and having Neil Walker swim the prelims.
He didn't win the 100 fly in trials, so at this point I would imagine that Crocker is the flyer for the medley relay. Since the medley relay is the last event of the Olympics, if Michael beats Ian in the 100 fly, I'm sure he will get that spot. I don't see him getting the freestyle spot in the medley relay unless Lezak steps down and insists that Michael take his place or if Phelps out-splits Lezak in the 4x100 Free Relay.
I believe Phelps qualified in 6 individual events and this does not include the relays:
200 fly
100 fly
400 IM
200 IM
200 back
200 free
He has chosen to forgo the 200 back for Athens.
Jody
