Michael Phelps Confirms That He’ll Swim 50 Fly During Prelims of 50 Free on Friday

Mike Lewis contributed to this report.

While talking to media at the conclusion of the day 1 finals at the 2014 Mesa Grand Prix, Michael Phelps confirmed his intent to swim butterfly during the 50 freestyle prelims on Friday.

While there was some anticipation about what he might be able to do in the sprint freestyles in his comeback, we won’t see any of that this weekend just yet, as he also scratched the 100 free prelims on Thursday morning.

For all of his success in the 100 fly and the 200 fly, the 50 has really never been a focus race for Phelps. We don’t actually find any record of Phelps swimming a 50 fly by itself, aside from splits en route to a 100 meter fly, and he’s certainly never swum it at a World Championship meet. Perhaps he’s dabbling with the idea of using the 50 fly at the 2015 World Championships to build his medal counts in place of, say, a 200 fly medal.

In terms of a target time, Phelps has never really been a pure sprinter. To rank 5th in the world, which is where his 100 fly currently puts him, would take a 23.21 – a tall order. More realistically, anything under 24 seconds, perhaps in the 23.6-23.7 range, would be a good result.

For those unfamiliar with stroke technique rules, swimmers can use any technique they like, more-or-less, in a ‘freestyle’ event. So long as they come up by 15 meters, don’t pull on the lane rope or push off the bottom, etc., a swimmer can use any form they like to complete a freestyle race.

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PAC12BACKER
10 years ago

Another smart move for Phelps personally! However, it does disappoint the general audience. It’s kind of like if Kobe Bryant were to play a game but passed the ball every time and not take any shots.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
10 years ago

I am still sure he will train for the 100 free but maybe not this year ….. first goal is to improve 100 fly exclusively which is smart and logic . I beleive he wants to have fun and focus with great attention to details on sprints ( butterfly / free ) . I always wanted him to do so ; happy to see he heard me LOL .

JR17
10 years ago

I think I understand the motivation to do that – but I still think it’s kind of douchey.

bobo gigi
10 years ago

If that new training strategy is confirmed, it would be even better for MP to have 1 or 2 training partners around him who are pure sprinters. As Ryan Lochte has at SwimMAC.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I only see IMers and mid-distance and distance guys at NBAC right now. Ok, there’s Tom Luchsinger but he’s a 200 fly specialist and lacks pure speed.
It would be very smart and very appropriate to recruit that kind of training partners to push MP every day in training.

bobo gigi
10 years ago

I understand that choice by all for butterfly until Rio. If he continues of course.
Speed work.
Strength work.
Sprint training.
All for the 100 fly.
And as results, being first at the half-race as smooth and as easy as possible.
The second 50 is my baby with my great finish and I win the gold.

I’m Bobo Gigi and I approve that strategy. :mrgreen:

Reply to  bobo gigi
10 years ago

🙂 nice

Coach GB
10 years ago

I don’t think he is necessarily training for 50 fly in worlds or pan pacs. If you look at his 100 fly against major competition, he often turns in the back half of the field and needs to come back over the final 35 meters. I would guess this is an opportunity to develop more consistent front half speed. Good call by his coaches.

Sven
10 years ago

This is gonna be sweet. I was curious about what he could bust out in a 50 free, but this will be cool to watch as well. He was 24.7 at the 50 in the 100 finals, so I’m gonna conservatively call 23.89.

Rafael
Reply to  Sven
10 years ago

Will he try that event at worlds or pan pacs? Will he be able to qualify on 50 fly on US? If he does so, will he have the speed needed to top Cielo on that race?

Steve Nolan
10 years ago

Pfft, just scared of Michael Andrew.

bobo gigi
Reply to  Steve Nolan
10 years ago

😆

PhelpsPhan
Reply to  Steve Nolan
10 years ago

How many Olympics have u been to?

PAC12BACKER
Reply to  PhelpsPhan
10 years ago

You obvously don’t understand sarcasm.

Reply to  PAC12BACKER
10 years ago

Pac12/Steve… be careful… The phans are back, and don’t take kindly to any discussion- even jokingly- that isn’t 100% overflowing with praise.

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Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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