We use to hear him explain away or qualify his loses; now he is taking a more positive note. The guy went two-for-five in Moscow which is rather anemic for the world's greatest especially when you compare that to his past accomplishments. (Note I don't care how close the 200-free was or his 200-back win. Michael Phelps is "Mr. Walls" - he redefined how they should be attacked and in my opinion SCM should be a world in which he utterly dominates.) Nonetheless, I am impressed that he is motivated to win, is exhibiting sportsmanship and is seemingly prepared but is he really in the "...best form since 2008"?
From APF:
BERLIN — Multiple Olympic gold medallist and world champion Michael Phelps insisted on Friday that he was in his best shape since his historic 2008 Olympic year. [...]
"I'm in best form since 2008. I'm a lot happier and in better shape than last year. In 2009, I took six months off after the Games. I was in the worst shape of my life," said Phelps.
"The important thing is not what happens today but down the road. I have time to change things and prepare and get ready. Hopefully I'll improve small things.[Link]
Now here is he is quoted in the Telegraph:
“Two years ago I swam in a couple of World Cups, but I didn’t swim as fast as I wanted to.
"Now I think I’m in a lot better shape than I was then, and if come in with some faster times I will be happy and satisfied."The last couple of weeks we’ve had good training and I just want to see where we stand right now..."[Link]
3 comments:
Did you see his 400IM and 100IM in Berlin today? Great swims. Also, I'd like to mention Missy's 200 back WR and Schmitt's 200 free AR. Congrats!
Phelps in SCM has always swum poorly compared to his LCM. I agree that it makes sense that he should do well in short course, yards or meters, because he is strong on the walls, but he never has. He has never done the SCM circuit and performed as you would expect. That doesn't mean he is going to swim well at London, but I would not be surprised if he does.
Phelps in SCM has always swum poorly compared to his LCM. I agree that it makes sense that he should do well in short course, yards or meters, because he is strong on the walls, but he never has. He has never done the SCM circuit and performed as you would expect. That doesn't mean he is going to swim well at London, but I would not be surprised if he does.
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