2012 OLYMPICS: MICHAEL PHELPS TO GO FOR 7 GOLDS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Jul 2012
Michael Phelps holds the Olympic record of eight gold medals in a single Olympics in 2008 in Beijing. But he is not getting any younger at the age of 27.
Phelps dropped the 200-meter freestyle from his Olympic program, and he will compete in seven swimming events in London and will not be able to repeat his 8 in ?08 achievement.
?So you won't hear the number eight again," declared Bob Bowman, Phelp?s personal coach. "It just makes sense. Nobody should be expected to do that twice. Once was more than enough, trust me."
Bowman said both of them decided to exclude the 200 m freestyle event to relax Phelps a little bit to give him more power for the relays.
During the Olympic trials, Phelps qualified in five individual events and is slated to swim all three relays, like he did in Beijing. But dropping the 200 free, his remaining individual races are the 200 and 400 individual medley (IM) and the 100 and 200 butterfly events.
Phelps won the 200 m freestyle at US Olympic trials but is expected to face stiff competition during the Games. He will now get a day off from individual swimming on the second day of the competition, one day after his race in the punishing 400 IM.
Instead of swimming heats and semis of the 200 m freestyle on the opening Sunday of the Games, he'll likely swim one leg of the 4x100 freestyle relay. This allows him to really focus his energy on the 4x100 relay the second night of the Games.
The 200 m freestyle final is scheduled for Monday night, the same day Phelps will race in 200 m butterfly heats and semifinals. Dropping the three 200 free swims (heats, semis and finals) gives him more rest, and will give him a more convenient quest to become the all-time top medalist at the Olympics.
The relay final will be on the same day as the prelims and semifinals of the 200 free. Bowman said he believed Phelps could win the 200 free but that he wanted Phelps ready for the 4x100 freestyle relay, in which the Australians are expected to confront the long-established US supremacy.
Ricky Berens, a participant in the team relays, moved up to take Phelps' place in the 200 m freestyle. Bowman said they chose between the 400 IM or 200 free of which to drop. He wanted to keep the 400 IM because it is on the first day of competition and he wants to have a gap in the seven-event program.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024