Michael Phelps might take part in the 200m back-stroke at 2011 World Championships – Swimming news
The 14-times Olympic champion, Michael Phelps is considering the advice of his close ones to participate in the 200m back-stroke event, at the 2011 World Championships in Shanghai, this July.
Phelps seized the 200m back-stroke gold at the 2011 Charlotte UltraSwim, clocking a time of 1:57.20 minutes ahead of his strongest competitor, Ryan Lochte, who touched the wall for the silver medal in 1:58.82 minutes. Phelps’s time was fifth fastest in the
2011 early world rankings and has provoked his hopes for making a splash in the same event at world titles.
Phelps restricted his participation to only three events at the Charlotte UltraSwim including the 200m freestyle, 200m butterfly and the 200m back-stroke. He finished sixth in the freestyle event, secured the podium for silver medal in 200m butterfly and
conquered the podium for gold medal in back-stroke.
After the retirement of great back-stroke champion, USA’s Aaron Peirsol, swimming fans were hoping that Ryan Lochte will take his place. However, his disputed performance at the sixth stop of 2010-11 USA Swimming Grand Prix Series has diverted the attention
of swimming fans towards Phelps. The retirement of Peirsol has made Phelps much obvious for the podium finish at the upcoming world stage.
Phelps, who won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the events of freestyle, butterfly and the Individual Medley (IM), stated that he will never participate in eight events again.
A month later, Phelps announced that he will participate in seven events at the upcoming World Championships. Phelps, who lost his 200m freestyle event at the Charlotte meet, did capture the back-stroke gold medal and is likely to replace his 200m freestyle
event with the 200m back-stroke at the Shanghai Championships.
Phelps, who will retire after the 2012 London Olympics, said that the decision regarding his participation in the 200m back-stroke will be finalised by his Coach, Bob Bowman, in few days. Michael also said that he will try to meet the expectations of his
fans at the World Championships in China, as this would be his second last participation at one of the biggest stages of sports.
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