Phelps Looks to Qualify for 4×200 Relay in Rio with Swim in Austin

2016 LONGHORN ELITE INVITE

At his final tuneup meet before the U.S. Olympic Trials this month, Michael Phelps is a man on a mission. Phelps will swim the 100 and 200 free, 100 fly, and 200 IM at this meet, but the 200 free may hold special significance.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Phelps and Bowman discussed their plan to attempt to qualify for the Olympic 4×200 free relay with his swim at the Longhorn Elite Invite. If Phelps can secure a spot on the relay with his swim at this meet, he may be able to skip swimming the event at trials in Omaha. Not swimming the event at trials would mean Phelps could start his event schedule a full day later, and it would take 2 (possibly 3) swims off his plate.

The 200 free at the Longhorn Elite Invite will be contested on Saturday, and it will be Phelps’ only swim of the day. He’ll be challenged in the event by some of nation’s top 200 freestylers, including Longhorn teammates Jack Conger, Clay Youngquist, and Townley Haas.

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G.I.N.A.
7 years ago

So basically if he is expecting to get into a potential top 4 200 trials time here -no way os he “broken down ” Schmitt was only .4 from her best 100 .

Some swimmers in very high mileage /intense programs might still be ‘under it’ but I think now many are very close . The remaining 3 weeks will be spent trying to keep up a top standard for 3 rounds & 8 days.

RetiredSpeedo21
7 years ago

Surely I’m not the only one gutted to read that Michael probably won’t be targeting the individual 200? One of my favourite races to watch over the last 10 years has been MP tapered and getting after a 200 free, and I’m pretty confident he would be able to pull out the 1.44 which will be needed to win gold in Rio

Theroboticrichardsimmons
7 years ago

The headline of this article is misleading, perhaps irresponsibly so. Of course he can’t *qualify* for the relay at this meet. Here is the exact text from that SI article:

“Phelps is swimming the event (along with his three trials events) at the Elite Invite this weekend in Austin, with the goal to swim it fast enough to secure a position on the 4×200 free relay so he doesn’t have to swim it in Omaha.”

David Hunt
7 years ago

He did this in 2008 for the 4 x 100 free relay. He posted the fastest American 100 free earlier in year, months before the trials, and his time held up as a top 4 American time and was placed on the 4 x 100 freelay.

pete manieri
7 years ago

Go Michael

brando
7 years ago

what are the odds Phelps goes for the pool record in the 1 free or 1 fly. Currently held by Biondi at 48.5 and Crocker 51.3

Brownish
Reply to  brando
7 years ago

The same as Arsenal wins the PL with Wenger. At least Bobo knows what I mean.

Skoorbnagol
Reply to  Brownish
7 years ago

Hahahaha brilliant

Brownish
Reply to  Skoorbnagol
7 years ago

🙂

bruh
Reply to  Skoorbnagol
7 years ago

hardooooooos

ssc
Reply to  Skoorbnagol
7 years ago

hardoooo

stephen
Reply to  brando
7 years ago

Same odds of him winning an individual gold in Rio….. 0 zero none

Dave
Reply to  brando
7 years ago

Biondi still has the pool record??? What a legend

ssc
7 years ago

My main concern if joe flacco should be considered a elite quarterback or not

MrBriefStroke (Embrace the Brief)
Reply to  ssc
7 years ago

He’s got that ring babay, no one can take that away.

Top 8 quarterback in the NFL(A final at Nats)(All American auto) but I heard he’s going for his trials cut in the 200 free gunna get that relay spot brah can’t let phelps have all the glory nawmeen? Sweg

jim
7 years ago

Very pleased to see David Nolan seeded 1st in the 100 free & 100 fly. Doubt he’ll win either tonight, but he could definitely use some confidence boost in long course. Knocking off some big names like those in the final heats of both just before Trials could certainly do that.

About Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh

Lauren Neidigh is a former NCAA swimmer at the University of Arizona (2013-2015) and the University of Florida (2011-2013). While her college swimming career left a bit to be desired, her Snapchat chin selfies and hot takes on Twitter do not disappoint. She's also a high school graduate of The …

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