Michael Phelps Impresses at U.S. Swim Trials, Seeks More Gold in Rio

(ATR) Michael Phelps will have two attempts in Rio de Janiero to become the first swimmer – and only third Olympian – to win a gold medal in one event at four consecutive Games.

Phelps qualified for his fifth Olympics – a first for an U.S. swimmer – in three individual events at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha. After coming out of retirement last year with sights set on Rio, Phelps won both the 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly at the U.S. swim trials, which wrapped up on Sunday. He’ll seek his fourth straight Olympic titles in the events next month. Phelps also won the 200m butterfly at the trials.

"I think there are a lot of things I need to improve on going into the Olympics, but it’s a lot more painful at age 31 – it takes a lot more to recover and I have to stay on top of everything," Phelps told NBC Sports. "I know if I want to be on top of the podium, I need to do a lot of work."Phelps raced for what was most likely the last time at a major competition in the USA as his fiancée Nicole watched the races holding their seven-week old son Boomer.

He will have the opportunity to add to his 22 Olympic medals, 18 of them gold, in the three individual events at the Rio Olympics. It could be six depending on which relays he may be included in. He has six gold medals from Athens, eight gold in Beijing and four in London.

"We’re going to try to do everything we can to be at our best," Phelps said looking ahead to Rio. "I think I’m light years better than I was in 2012 – physical shape, mental. I’m just in a lot better place now."

Phelps edged American rival and 11-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte to win the 200 individual medley. It was the only event his longtime rival Lochte qualified for in the Games.

Starring at the trials alongside Phelps was 19-year-old multiple world record holder and Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky. Ledecky won her third individual event at trials, posting the third fastest performance ever in the 800m freestyle on Saturday. She boasts the top ten times of all-time in her signature event.

"I did what I needed to do here and it set me up for what I want to do in Rio," Ledecky said at a post-race press conference. "I’m really excited to get back to work this week and see if I can get a little faster and then taper down for Rio."

While Ledecky impressed at the trials, Missy Franklin, 21, who raced to four gold medals in London 2012, struggled at times. Franklin failed to qualify in two individual events which she made finals in London, including one of her title-winning races, the 100 backstroke. However, she will defend her Olympic gold medal in the 200m backstroke in Rio.

One of the surprises of the meet was Stanford graduate Maya DiRado, who at age 23, won both individual medley events and the 200 backstroke to make her first Olympic team.

While Phelps, Lochte, Anthony Ervin and Nathan Adrian will provide the veteran leadership on the powerful U.S. Olympic swimming squad, 30 of the 45 swimmers who punched their ticket for Rio will be making their first Olympic appearances.

Phelps will try to match fellow U.S. Olympic legends Carl Lewis and Al Oerter, the only Olympians to win four consecutive individual titles in the same event. Lewis won the long jump four times between 1984-96, while Oerter took discus gold 1956-68. Paul Bert Elvstrom of Denmark won four successive gold medals in monotoype yachting events, but there was a class change during his accomplishment.

U.S. swimmers will seek to continue their dominant ways in Rio, having collected a combined 40 of 100 gold medals available in Athens, Beijing and London, and 90 medals overall. Australia is the only nation anywhere close, with 45 medals overall.

Swimming will take place in Rio at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium Aug. 6-13.

Reported by Brian Pinelli

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