Michael Phelps, 2014 Charlotte Grand Prix (Courtesy of Mike Lewis)
Michael Phelps, the greatest Olympian of all-time, reveals more about his event schedule as we near USA Swimming’s 2014 Phillips 66 National Championships (and the Pac Pacific Championships and 2015 FINA World Championships selection meet).
200 butterfly and 400 IM are off the table
400 IM was not a surprise. 200 butterfly is a head-scratcher, leaving everyone wondering, why not? Phelps-fans see 200 butterfly as an easier path to an additional Olympic medal. Phelps could probably get on the 2016 Olympic Games podium in the 200 fly using muscle memory alone.
100 butterfly, 100 freestyle and 200 IM are on the table
200 freestyle is as well, though, at this point, 200 free appears to be a relay attempt. With 100 fly, 100 free, 200 IM and the 4×200 free, Phelps is back to a very robust event schedule, potentially swimming 6 events at international competitions for Team USA, provided he makes the 400 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay.
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Oh yeah, and 22 gold plus 2 silver + 2 bronze; 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8!
So this is my thoughts about his future goal times and events:
100 fly obviously.Mr Phelps has won this event these 3 last olympics, he was the first to swim sub 50 in the 100 fly 49.82 in a lzr suit, and he wants to go sub 50 again but in jammer. He swam the 100 fly really fast while also training for the 400 IM so drooping that event will make a huge diffrence in his speed. And he has a chance to four peat in this event
200 IM : he did three peat in this event and most likely wants to go for 4. A sub 1.54 (his pb is a 1:54:16 )
And the three… Read more »
I think he wants to shoot for 27 medals, and yes I know it’s crazy, but I believe in numerology, and since Phelps won 8 golds over 8 days in 2008 and won the same 4 individual events in 2 successive Olympics (=8), I predict he will 4-peat in both the 100 fly and 200 IM (=8) as well as the 800 free and 400 medley relays (=8) and win a total of 26 medals (because 6 + 2 = 8)! LOL!
Forget about Phelps, GoldmedalMel’s facial expressions and excitement about Phelps’ swimming are like a kid waiting for Christmas morning and make me smile! You’re the best, Mel! Now how do we get you a job interviewing athletes in Rio or commentating?!
Let’s remember why he came back for ! having fun , not pushing things hard on himself and just reaching some decent goals as per performances concern .
No more 400 IM and 200 fly is absolutely out of the question and totally understandable .
Sprint races like 100 fly and 100 free is a more enjoyable goal for him defenetly .
He truly wants to help Usa on those relays ( 3 relays if possible , if the training gets him to qualify in 100 and 200 free ) for Pan Pacs and untill Rio . To qualify at Nationals on 100 butterfly seems to be the easiest at this point .
I see from… Read more »
I’m glad to hear he’s still thinking of the 200 IM. It’s a different beast compared to MP’s new sprint aspirations, sure, but it’s not a gargantuan training investment like the 400 IM. He can get in some quality back and breast work, focusing on speed and conditioning, without going overboard on volume. MP doesn’t need thousands of yards of back/breast work to crank out a world class 200.
Really, I’d bet they’d be doing about as much back and breast anyway even if he wasn’t swimming the IM, just to mix things up and incorporate all the strokes. This just adds focus to that work. I’m sure the majority of the time will still be spent on fly… Read more »
In my opinion, Phelps should be focusing on enjoying the sport again. The fact that he is even talking about Rio 2016’s schedule is bad news.
Michael – don’t pigeonhole yourself!!! Just have fun!!!
He is, that’s why he isn’t swimming the 200 fly or 4 IM. He loves competing so much and the top meets are the most exciting, so it’s only natural that he would be looking forward to Rio so much.
Why is he swimming the 200IM? He has already done the 3peat at the Olympics so what more does he want from that race?
Okay he wants another medal and to seal his dominance at that race.
Santa Clara will be interesting
Take back his world record?
What BobTheBuilderRocks said, plus also shot at a 4-Peat? He likes a challenge and will definitely get one from Lochte, Hagino, PEreria. He’s already blown his shot at a 4 peat in the 2Fly and that’s a tougher event to train for.
Sarcasm? There was nothing sarcastic on my answer.