Phelps makes waves, swims way to Rio
SAN ANTONIO – Michael Phelps held up one finger, leaving no doubt he’s No. 1.
Then he pounded the water defiantly – first with one hand, then with both. Yep, he’s back. Removing any uncertainty about how ready he’ll be for the Rio Olympics, Phelps turned in his fastest time in the 200-meter butterfly since setting the world record in a high-tech suit six years ago.
Phelps’ stunner – 1 minute, 52.94 seconds at the US national championships Friday night – came after months of lackluster performances and serious problems away from the pool.
“This next year is going to be pretty damn fun,” said Phelps, who unleashed one of the biggest celebrations of his career when he saw the time.
It would have been good enough for gold at the 2012 London Olympics, where he finished second behind Chad le Clos’ time of 1:52.96. It would have been good enough to win at this year’s world championships in Kazan, Russia, where Hungary’s Laszlo Cseh took the title in 1:53.48.
“I think it just shows you anything is possible if you want something bad enough,” Phelps said. “I can do whatever I put my mind to.” No question about that. Not after a performance that no one saw coming – not even his longtime coach, Bob Bowman.
“That was one of his best swims,” Bowman said, high praise indeed considering Phelps is the most decorated athlete in Olympic history with 18 golds and 22 medals overall.
Phelps should have been in Kazan this week – he easily qualified for the US team – but he lost his spot as part of his punishment for a second drunken-driving arrest last fall. So he came to San Antonio for what is essentially a junior-varsity meet for swimmers who didn’t earn a spot at the biggest swimming event outside the Olympics.