U.S. Swimming: Michael Phelps won’t have an eight-medal encore

OMAHA — The most compelling story line of the 2008 Olympics will not be repeated in 2012.

Michael Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals in 2008, withdrew from the U.S. team in the 200 men’s freestyle on Monday.

Phelps had qualified for eight events in the Olympic trials, which end Monday night. His coach, Bob Bowman, announced Phelps’ withdrawal via Twitter on Monday morning.

“This will give him a full slate of 7 events,” Bowman wrote. “This change will allow him to focus more energy on relays for Team USA.”

Ryan Lochte, who rose up as Phelps’ foil over the past four years, also is eligible to swim seven events in London. Phelps and Lochte raced against each other in four finals at the trials, with Phelps winning three times.

[Updated, 10:28 a.m. July 2: Bowman told reporters he and Phelps had discussed dropping one event last week and finalized the decision Sunday night. USA Swimming set a Monday deadline for swimmers to scratch from any Olympic event for which they had qualified.

Phelps won the 200 free in the 2008 Olympics as well as in the trials here, and he has the second-fastest time in the world this year in that event. Bowman said he believes Phelps could have won the event in London.

However, had he not withdrawn from the 200, Phelps would have had to swim preliminaries and semifinals in that event as well as a relay on the second day of Olympic competition.

Phelps captured the attention of Americans — even those who barely pay attention to swimming — with his quest to win eight gold medals in Beijing. Bowman said there would be no regrets about skipping out on the chance for an encore.

“None whatsoever,” Bowman said. “It makes sense. No one should be expected to do that twice. Once was more than enough.”

Bowman noted that Phelps trained four hard years in advance of Beijing, then did not commit himself to the same level of training for London until two years ago.

“It would be illogical to expect him to do that program again, with less preparation,” Bowman said.

Frank Busch, the USA Swimming national team director, said he was not discouraged that America’s most recognizable swim star would not try for an encore.

“Michael is four years older,” Busch said. “What he did in Beijing was superhuman.”

Phelps and Lochte had won the two U.S. spots in the 200 free. Ricky Berens, who finished third in the event at trials, now replaces Phelps in the 200 in London.

Berens had no advance notice of Phelps’ withdrawal, according to his Twitter feed.

“Words can’t describe how I am feeling right now,” he wrote. “If Twitter is right, I am swimming the 200 free at the Olympics!!!!! This is nuts!”

Once Berens got confirmation, he tweeted again.

“Dream come true!” he wrote.]

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