Video Interview: Phelps “I want to swim the 400 free”

No, it’s not a typo.

After winning the 100 fly tonight at the 2015 Arena Pro Swim Series stop in Mesa, Michael Phelps gave Swimswam a little insight on how tomorrow may shake out. He admitted that it was his decision, not Coach Bob Bowman’s, to swim the 400 freestyle on Day 3 of his first meet back to competition since this summer’s Pan Pacific Championships.

What’s more interesting is that he actually opted out of swimming the 100 back, a more probable option for him since his comeback last year at this same meet. Phelps states that he has been trying to challenge himself more and more, which is the same mindset he had leading into the 2004 and 2008 olympic games, a period which he calls “his best”.

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john26
8 years ago

I missed out on the whole discussion about Phelps’ potential in the 400free a few weeks ago. During Phelps’ 60minutes interview w/ Anderson Cooper postBeijing, he pulls out his goal sheets for Beijing. His goal for the 400m free was marked as 3:39.5.

This video is still probably available on Youtube. As you all recall, Phelps’ “goals” were all set ambitiously but reasonable given his preparation. Although I’m not sure he would’ve been able to actually get to that point, I don’t think- given his times in his other events it would’ve been unreasonable that Phelps could’ve beaten Park for gold in the 400m free in Beijing.

Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

Who’s stopping him?

Lazy Observer
Reply to  Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

Gina, this comment made 100% sense. I applaud any move in the direction of being comprehensible.

paul
8 years ago

@bobo: a 3.55 in the 400 free (prelims or final) would be a good sign from Phelps, a 3.52 a great sign.

Obviously, swimming 400 free is just for a training meet, eventually for a 200 free project (200 free scenario is pretty open), but above all, in the Phelps words, for challenging himself, because Phelps (desperately) needs challenge to remain focused and motivated.

In 2003-2008 the big target was the medal hunt to surpass Spitz record.

Now Phelps needs a new target and i don’t know if the olympics fourpeat in 100 fly or 200 im is enough for him.

So, even if 3 individual races (plus 3 relays) are too challenging for a 31 years-old, for sure… Read more »

bobo gigi
8 years ago

Michael Phelps’ 400 free performances during his career:

5/26/2000. US Cadillac Challenge. 3.58.80 at 14
10/14/2000. US 10th Annual Pent. 3.59.99 at 15
5/4/2001. US Carol Chidester. 3.57.28 at 15
5/18/2001. US Domino’s Swim Classic. 3.59.99 at 15
5/17/2002. US Domino’s Swim Classic. 3.55.32 at 16
5/16/2003. MI Domino’s Swim Classic. 4.00.38 at 17 (prelims)
5/16/2003. MI Domino’s Swim Classic. 3.49.93 at 17 (final)
8/5/2003. US Nationals. 3.51.03 at 18 (prelims)
8/5/2003. US Nationals. 3.46.73 at 18 (final)
4/1/2005. World trials. 3.55.70 at 19
5/20/2005. PC Stanford Grand Prix. 3.59.76 at 19 (prelims)
5/20/2005. PC Stanford Grand Prix. 3.51.94 at 19 (final)
6/10/2005. IN Counsilman Classic. 4.01.24 at… Read more »

sven
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

Then apparently this was the slowest 400 he’s ever swam

luigi
8 years ago

To me, targeting a race like the 200 fly at his age is just outright crazy. But he has been doing the unthinkable all his life ….
Mentally, he is in a very good place. Relaxed, having fun but still working hard.

RL
Reply to  luigi
8 years ago

Luigi: 29 or 31 is not OLD!!!!!! Either you are a kid yourself, or you have not noticed that there are elite athletes in many sports in their 30’s: Tour de France riders, elite track sprinters, even marathon runners! We don’t have a large pool of elite swimmers training very hard at that age because most people need to do other things to make a living, or they are just plain mentally burnt out on the hard work it takes, or they are satisfied with their accomplishments and just move on . But physiologically, there is no reason why Phelps can’t do a great 200 fly!!!

jman
Reply to  RL
8 years ago

Exactly. Elite runners do not reach peak until late 20’s and distance runners can improve into their mid-30’s. Personally i think if he put the type of work in the 400 would be a great event for him. He could swim it in 2020 also.

luigi
Reply to  jman
8 years ago

RL, I am older than 31 and I know very well that a man can perform at elite level in his 30s but the examples you and jman bring of runners and so on are really apples and oranges. swimming is a sport apart where it is more common to see older guys in sprint events than in mid or long distance events – just check for yourself. Look at the stats, age-wise, of medalists at elite levels in events like 200 and 400 free or higher, 200 fly, 400 IM and so on and compare them to stats in the shorter races, same stroke. All else being equal, older guys are more common in sprint events – swimming is… Read more »

bobo gigi
8 years ago

He wants to swim the 400 free just in these training meets.
And that’s a very good thing.
Another proof that MP trains hard again.
He wants to swim the 200 fly in Rio. You have to train seriously for that. Very seriously.
And the Greatest trains very hard right now. 7 days a week again. And it’s been a while it didn’t happen.
Don’t expect crazy fast times from MP and Allison Schmitt at these in-season Grand Prix meets. They are not rested at all. Unlike last year when they didn’t train very conscentiously. But both will deliver when it will count.

About his olympic line-up, my hopes:
100 fly/200 fly/200 IM
plus the 3 relays

Danjohnrob
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

I thought he made it clear he was not doing the 200 fly anymore.? Bobo, is this just your hope or do you have a reason to believe it will happen? IMO, he won’t have enough of a training base to get the kind of 200 fly time he might need to beat Le Clos/Seto. I think he will only swim individual races he thinks he can win, but I hope I’m wrong.

Danjohnrob
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

LOL! Immediately after I wrote my comment I saw the article about him training for the 200 fly again! 🙂
But I still think he only meant to improve his 100 fly, not to swim the event at the Olympics.

Caitlin Garrison
Reply to  bobo gigi
8 years ago

He said he is training for the 200 fly for various reasons, but is not swimming it.

Billabong
8 years ago

If Grant Hackett can go 3:53 in season, at the age of 34, with just 6months in the pool after a 6 year layoff, MP must better that….. even if it is at the limit of his old range.

Reply to  Billabong
8 years ago

I sincerely doubt he’s going 353.

SamH
Reply to  Hulk Swim
8 years ago

I feel like his stroke (long and strong) and race mentality (back half emphasis) fit the 400 freestyle well. I was actually really excited to see him entered in this event. He used to be so good at the 500, he is better at long course, why not?

sharkboy
Reply to  SamH
8 years ago

If Phelps performs as well as what we could expect from him, maybe we’ll witness a Phelps vs. Hackett showdown within/at Rio?

SwimGeek
Reply to  SamH
8 years ago

MP went 3:46 back in 2003 at age 18. He’s definitely capable of swimming the 400. I think it’s a good sign that he’s mixing it up.

Jenkei
Reply to  Billabong
8 years ago

He ended up going 3:46 two weeks later

Danjohnrob
8 years ago

Wouldn’t it be more challenging to swim the 100 back AND the 400 free?

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