Michael Phelps wins two events at Indianapolis Swim Grand Prix – Swimming update
25-year-old Michael Phelps won the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly on the first day of the Indianapolis Grand Prix. He made his coach proud and gave a little boy something to cherish his entire life.
When a young boy in the crowd asked Phelps for his autograph, he got a bit more than he expected. Phelps removed the medal from his neck and tossed it to the boy.
"I threw it up, and the mom made sure she got a hold of the medal for the little boy," Phelps said, smiling at recounting the incident. "It's always good to have little guys out there watching and cheering us on.”
Phelps secured the first spot by completing his 200 freestyle in 1 minute, 46.27 seconds. He was followed by Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli who did the event in 1 minute 47.01 seconds. In the 2008 Beijing where Phelps had won a record eight golds, Mellouli
took won the 1500 freestyle.
Phelps has recorded the fastest timing in all the events that he has participated so far this year. In the Austin Grand Prix, he did the 200 freestyle in disappointing 1 minute 49.90 seconds.
The 100 butterfly was held some forty minutes after the 200 freestyle. Phelps grabbed the gold by performing in 51.75. Even though he has made a record of 49.82 back in 2009 in high technology swimming gear which is now banned, he nevertheless won the butterfly
in 51.75 this time around.
His coach, Bob Bowman, expressed his satisfaction by stating that it’s a great pleasure to see him back in competition. He liked Phelps stroke in freestyle. This is a reflection of what was his usual performance some time back.
Bowman also stated that the 100 butterfly was a great performance. With one additional stroke, he could have managed it in 51. Phelps acknowledged that shortcoming but he knows that he is moving in the right direction. Phelps had previously stated that his
performance in the Grand Prix and Championship in Shanghai will give him an idea of his standing in the much awaited 2012 summer Olympics. He along with his coach Bob are working hard for the event.
"I really want to be able to have a program set at the end of the summer that I'm confident in going into London and (Olympic) trials," Phelps said. "We're a lot closer than we were a month ago."
Phelps is expected to swim the 200 butterfly in the second day of Indianapolis Swim Grand Prix on Friday at the Indiana University Natatorium.
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