Michael Phelps Drops 200 Free From Olympic Schedule

Michael Phelps has scratched the 200 free from his Olympic schedule, his coach Bob Bowman reported via Twitter today.

“MichaelPhelps will be removing the individual 200 freestyle from his Olympic program. This will give him a full slate of 7 events.”

The move is a stunning one, after he won the individual men’s 200 freestyle event at the Olympic Trials that wrap up today in Omaha. His final time of 1:45.77, just bettering Ryan Lochte, was probably his most disappointing of the week, where he not only missed a World leader, he didn’t even go a season-best time.

Bowman explained the decision further that “This change will allow him to focus more energy on relays for Team USA.”

That means Ricky Berens is the new entry in the race for Team USA when they travel to London. For Berens, a self-described “relay-swimmer,” that would be his third swim and only his first individual race in two Olympic appearances. Berens is unlikely to medal, while Phelps would’ve been a strong favorite to end up on the podium somewhere.

With this move, Lochte and Frenchman Yannick Agnel will be the two favorites in the men’s 200 free; Lochte is the defending World Champion, and Agnel has looked spectacular this morning after switching his focus from the 400 free to the shorter 100-200 schedule this season.

Based on Bob Bowman’s assertion that Phelps will still swim 7 events, we can expect that means that he’s been assured a place on the 400 free relay (though he didn’t swim the 100 free individually) and the 800 free relay, even with the scratch.

This was probably the shakiest of Phelps’ potential 5 individual medals going into the Olympics, and should really strengthen his run to hold off Lochte in the 200 IM and possibly catch his rival in the 400 IM.

We’ve heard a common question about whether or not this bumps Davis Tarwater onto the team after he finished 7th (usually 6 are taken). Shortly after Phelps’ announcement, it was revealed that Tarwater would be added to the team.

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bobo gigi
11 years ago

Breaking news! Amaury Leveaux also drops the 200 free to focus on the men’s 4X100 free relay.

DDU
11 years ago

phelps sure he can’t win gold medalin 200m Free,and he scratched

DDU
11 years ago

@john26:USA can’t take gold medal,are you agree?

john26
11 years ago

EDIT: On the other hand, if the ***US*** gets 2nd, some response may be “oh man, 2nd! they could’ve not medaled! What an upset”.

john26
11 years ago

@ Kori & everyone else

Okay, guys, before this gets overblown. I want to address this VERY clearly.

A lot of people are now saying statements like ‘And it’s not only very likely that the U.S. men won’t win that relay, there is/was a possibility of them not even making the podium.” I fear that the result of this mentality is that if the US gets fourth in London, the response will be of “okay, that was expected, they were seeded 4rth in terms of flat starts, so it was the expected result”
On the other hand, if the Aussies gets 2nd, some response may be “oh man, 2nd! they could’ve not medaled! What an upset”.

__No__, the fact… Read more »

aswimfan
Reply to  john26
11 years ago

I agree.

DDU
11 years ago

Phelps go lead-off 4x100m free relay 47.92 s,and USA finish fourth

Lisa
11 years ago

Seems like Phelps didn’t want to do 8, and let Bob choose which one he dropped.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Early in the week, the coach planted the idea of dropping the 200 free.

Once Phelps won his last event, the 100 butterfly Sunday night, Bowman brought it up again.

Phelps never flinched.

Seven is enough. More than enough.

“He was absolutely fine with it,” Bowman said. “He and I had discussed it early in the week. I said, ‘Just put this on your menu. We’re not going to talk about it again, but think about it.’ And then, last night, he was more perturbed that I made him sit down with his management team and myself to go over it.… Read more »

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

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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