Michael Phelps is back to pre-2008 Olympic form, and Coach Bob Bowman could not be happier. In media zone Bob has become more and more fun. He’s honest. He doesn’t sugarcoat. He’s exactly what we want from an elite coach.
I don’t know how I missed sharing the video above, but I’m glad we got it up before the Minneapolis Pro Swim.
According to the media above, it sounds like Phelps will swim 6 events at 2016 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials–100 and 200 fly, and the 200 IM. 200 free will be swum, but only to put up fast times to secure Phelps’ spot on the relay.
We will bang this drum until 2016 Olympic Games (and Bob will poke-fun at us for doing it), but I do want to hear thoughts as the season progresses. The big reveal from the media above is most SwimSwam commenters were actually on the same page as Bob in terms of predictions on Phelps times. Congrats to everyone for being so smart.
My predictions are below from the last Phelps video, but here are some thoughts that are floating through my head at the Pro Swim Series launches:
Will Phelps be as broken down as last season, when he swam some very slow in-season swims?
Will Phelps test a 400 IM or 400 free, just to challenge himself in-season? Or will Phelps stay laser-like focused on the event he intends to accomplish PBs?
According to Bob, Phelps has not “really” worked his free and backstroke–for his 200 IM. Will we see a fast 100 back in-season on the ramp up to Omaha?
100 free? I love this event for Phelps. I think he wants to throw down a great one before he retires. I still think Phelps can go 47 low in the 100m free from flat start in a textile suit. Could Phelps become the fasting blue ribbon event athlete in the world?
What are you thinking? Share below. This is going to be an exciting season, and I love seeing the swim-crowd-analysis.
Mel – Phelps 2016 Olympic Predictions (from the last video):
100m Butterfly – Phelps swims sub 50, threatening his rubberized 49.82, but just misses it.
200 Butterfly – Phelps swims 1:51…something. I’ll take 1:51 point 9, but I think he dips under 1:52 in a textile suit.
200m IM – Phelps swims 1:53.81.
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Phelps won’t beat Le Clos in either fly event, so I’ll put him down for two silvers. It looks like he will crush Lochte in the 200IM, and should also beat Hagino, just. gold in the 200IM……1:53.9 WR. Relays should all medal, gold in the 4×100 medley, gold in the 4×200 free, silver in the 4×100 free. A pretty good haul,
Phelps OT 2016:
– 100 free: 48″11 ( Just for Relay)
– 200 free : 1’45”.. (Just for Relay)
– 200 fly: 1’53″80
– 200 IM: 1’55”..
– 100 Fly: 51″10
( plus 4×100 medley relay)
Considering that he won’t be100% tapper
No doubt in my mind Phelps will absolutely crush his records in the 100/200 fly.
Unlikely, but I’d like to see it:
If Phelps puts up a 1:45 before Trials, he’s guaranteed a spot on the 4×200. He doesn’t have to swim that at OT. So instead, do the 100 back. A 52-point best time would be a great way to start his championship season and if not… it’s a low-risk event to swim anyway.
I think what the difference will be compared to London is his mindset. In 2012 he was trying to just get everything over with. That showed in his 200 fly when a 2007 phelps would have saw le clos and gone “bye”, but phelps just gave up( I’m not trying to take anything away from le clos, I am a fan of him). Now phelps want to swim and he wants to swim FAST, so…
I’m not sure what exactly makes 1:45.00 unbreachable for Phelps. It’s important to note that Phelps was 1:45.6 off the limited training he did in 2010, sure, he was riding off his work from preBeijing, but we already know that his conditioning has allowed him to return to near 2007/2008 level performances in his Butterfly events. Working on freestyle technique alone could probably bring him to 1:44mid.
I firmly believe that Phelps did not put significant work into the 200 after about 2008. His 1:44.7 was riding off conditioning. If you look at how strongly his 100free has improved since 2007, it’s not unreasonable to see a 1:43low in Phelps if he ever put more focus in the event. Obviously,… Read more »
Bob Bowman does not have pencil or stopwatch at swim meet when Michael swim?
I think that Michael will dominate at Rio. He is so focus now and he train very well.
Forget about times, he will swim time that gonna give him gold medal. That is only importatnt.
DD
I, for once, would like to see Phelps anchor a relay to victory. A Phelps vs Guy showdown in the 800 free relay would be spectacular.
Pretty sure phelps anchored the 4 X 200 relay in London.. That won
And, they already had the lead when Phelps dove into the water. I guess I meant to say overcome an opponent and lead to victory. For example, Ledecky at WC. Allison Schmidt in 2008. Out of 6 freestyle relays at the Olympics, Phelps has anchored once and he had the lead when he did so. I’d just like to see Phelps dive in behind and win.