Coach Bowman wouldn’t commit to whether or not he would swim either event, but we now know at least that he’s entered in both of those races.
Later in the morning, the plot got thicker, as Yahoo Sports’ Pat Forde (a bit of a swim buff himself) reported that Phelps would also be entered in the 200 backstroke, giving him a full individual entries at trials.
Back to Garrett, Bowman told him that some of these events could be for a “worst case” scenario, with perhaps an event thrown in at the end of the week in case the beginning of the week doesn’t go well. But with the 400 IM coming at the very beginning of the schedule, it wouldn’t necessarily fit into that category.
The 200 backstroke might throw some for a loop, but it’s not a bad backup event for Phelps either – His 1:54.64 in the race is the 6th-fastest time in history, despite him never swimming it at the Olympics.
Check out the interview with Garrett – we learned a lot more about the tapers of Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt than maybe anybody’s ever gotten in the past, and also got Bowman’s best explanation for why event secrecy is so important to him and his athletes.
I believe Phelps will swim the 100-200 fly, 200 free and 200 IM at trials. He will probably swim the prelims of the 100 free for the relay spot. He is the clear favorite in both flys in London and at least co favorite in the 200 free. I think he is the favorite in the 200 IM becasue Lochte has the 200 back 20 minutes earlier. U.S. is favored in the medley and 800 free relay and has an outside chance of winning the 400 free relay as well. At this point 4 years ago the French were heavy favorites in the 400 f.r. After the trials it was probably even. So if all goes well Phelps could win… Read more »
CUPOFJOE
Things were better for US after Trials…
This time is not the same as 2008… Australia will probably be 1 second ahead of US.. it not 2..
This won´t be a head to head battle like 2008.. if Magnussen Opens he will probably be already near 1 second ahead of Adrian or Phelps.
Magnussen won’t be a second ahead of Phelps. I can’t believe how many people are underestimating Phelps’ speed. He’s been swimming the 100 great for the past 4 years without being a 100 swimmer. I see an opening leg of 47.1 for Magnussen, 47.5 for Phelps. Still, I don’t know that Adrian and 2 other guys are going to be able to pull it off for the US to beat Australia. Adrian needs to be within a couple tenths when he leaves the blocks to reel in the Aussie’s anchor leg.
Appreciate all the comments and info, thanks!
There should be a 4im swimswam trials preview!!!
Some of you are a little crazy about the schedule of Michael Phelps and it’s the same thing for Missy Franklin. The goal isn’t to qualify in the biggest number of events, the goal is to win gold medals at the olympic games. Personally I’d prefer he removes from this schedule the 400 IM, the 200 free (yes I’m perhaps the only swimming fan to think that) and of course the 200 back and the 100 free. I believe the 200 IM, the 100 fly, the 200 fly and the 3 relays are enough for him. And for his last olympic games I think it would be good to not see him with a defeat on individual. He could focus… Read more »
Excellent stuff!
So you would say Lochte’s best two events for London Gold would be the 200 Back and 400 IM?….and no real locks for Phelps Gold?
I’m in an office pool and we have to pick each and every swim and athletics event who would win the Gold etc, relays do not count.
Reading other generic sites, (ESPN, Bleacher Report etc) they all have Lochte winning at least 5-6 Golds….seems like much more knowledgable swim fans here for sure!
Any info much appreciated………thanks!
@Lochte Tight- Phelps “locks” for gold would be 100, 200 fly at the very least. In my opinion, I think that he wins both the 200 free and 200 IM should he choose to swim them. I believe that he will most definitely swim the 200 IM. 200 free he will probably also swim as well, but I hesitate on that one a little more just because I’m not sure what his plans are for trials and Olympics between 400 IM, 200 free, and 200 back
Lochte is an almost sure-thing for gold in the 200 back. Beyond that I think we’ll have to see how he swims the 400 IM at trials to determine if he’s a sure gold for london in it. If he dominates the 400 IM tonight OR if Phelps doesn’t swim it in London, go ahead and count on Lochte as a sure gold for it in London. As for 200 free and 200 IM, these races are going to be a dogfight. He and Phelps will definitely take 1-2 in London but there’s no way of knowing who will win right now (though I think most would give Phelps the advantage). In the 200 Free, some think he has a… Read more »
Phelps is a sure thing to win or be 2nd in 200 fly, 100 fly, 200 free and 200 IM
He will likely race hard in the 1st heats of the 100 free and scratch just to get him on the 400 free relay.
He is no guarantee in the 400 IM or 200 Back, but the schedule allows him to roll with the 400 IM since it is a 1st day event..if he wants to do it. To me it’s almost better for his psyche if he does it with the thought – “If i can survive this, I can definitely do the rest” mentaility. 200 Back is much tougher to do with other events all over the place.… Read more »
Guaranteed that two of his “typed out goals” include taking back WR in 200 IM and 200 FR. Since the 200 IM WR is far more likely than swimming a 1:41:99 200 FR, he will not swim 200 BK in London. If he swims the 400 IM in London, will it diminish his chances to go after that 1:41?
Eric,
Phelps will NOT take back the 200 free WR.
Book it.
Agreed, the textile record he has a chance at beating as does Lochte and Agnel. That 200 fr at the olympics is going to be stacked and even better than last year. I think at least 3 go under 1:44 (Phelps/Agnel/Lochte) and then Taewan and Biedermann will go 1:44. I also think Yang Sun could crack 1:45 if he swims it.
Sun already have 1:44:99.. considering his speed.. he is probably the only one (not now bot nor far away) than can take down the WR… the ability to split as he did on 1500 is something no one else have.. and I wouldn´t be scared is he went 25 26 26 25 on 200…
Phelps 200-400IM, 200 back?? I’m no swim expert, but realistically what events can Phelps BEAT Lochte in London………??
All of the events that they are competing in together.
I agree, Phelps can beat Lochte in any event they’re both competing in. Regardless of who wins, the difference will be in tenths of seconds. They’re both the best in the world and very evenly matched. These trials are going to be a battle unlike anything we’ve seen before!
They are both evently matched, but either one has the edge on the other if either one has a hard race 20 minutes before their matchup. For example, if Phelps drops the 200 Back, and Lochte doesn’t, then it’s very likely Phelps wins the 200 IM at trials and probably the olympics. If they both swim both events, game on, but both have a potentital to get beaten at the Olympics by maybe someone else in the world (I doubt it, but it’s possible). Remember day 5 is brutal with heats of both 2back and 2im and semi’s of both. They can maybe take it slightly easy in the heats but they are going to have go go for 95%… Read more »
@Rafael : if Phelps swims 100 free , it’s only for the relay ! nothing else ……..this is clear for months and months .