2016 U S Olympic Team Trials Swimming Michael Phelps, 200m Fly
2016 Rio Olympic teammates Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps advanced in the top two spots for the 200m individual medley semifinals at Trials.
Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps, both already qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympic team, advanced from Thursdays preliminary heats in first and second place, respectively, in the 200m individual medley. Both have been on the podium in that event since the 2004 Athens Games, with Phelps winning three consecutive golds and Lochte winning two silvers and a bronze.
Lochte raced to one minute, 58.05 seconds to win his heat compared to Phelps 1:58.95 which won the last heat.
Also advancing into Thursdays semifinal are teenage standout Michael Andrew and likely 2016 Olympic team member Jay Litherland, who made a case to be named to the team for the 400m individual medley on Sunday.
Michael Phelps set more records by winning the 200m butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Omaha, Nebraska.
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After a few speed bumps on his road to Rio, Ryan Lochte appears back on track at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials.
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In the heats of the womens 100m freestyle, Abbey Weitzeil clocked the fastest time of the morning with 53.58. Also advancing to the semifinals are Missy Franklin, Kelsi Worrell, Katie Ledecky, Olivia Smoliga, Allison Schmitt and Natalie Coughlin.
Also Thursday morning, 2012 Olympic champion in the 200m backstroke Tyler Clary finished in 1:56.85 to advance to the semifinals in second place behind Jacob Pebley. Matt Grevers, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the 100m distance, qualified to advance to the semifinals but told media hed likely swim it just for fun.
After failing to qualify for the 100m backstroke in Rio, Matt Grevers may have competed in the last race of his career at Trials.
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Micah Lawrence advanced in first place to Thursdays semifinals in the 200m breaststroke, an event she placed sixth in at the 2012 London Olympics. Joining her are Lilly King, who won the Trials 100m breaststroke and qualified for the Rio Games, and Breeja Larson, 2012 London Olympian in the 200m breaststroke.
U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials are June 26 to July 3 in Omaha, Nebraska and decide which swimmers participate at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Olympic Swimming Trials | Michael Phelps Ready For 5th Olympic Games
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Familiar faces Michael Phelps and Missy Franklin waited until Day 4 of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials to stamp their tickets to Rio. Here are five thoughts from Wednesdays events in Omaha:
Michael, the master
This is a very different Michael Phelps from the one who half-trained his way through the London Games with an indifference that would not have pleased the Phelps of 2004 or 08. The Phelps were seeing ahead of Rio is thankful, emotional and thoughtful. Maybe thats due to his role as a new father, or because of the multiple second chances he got to straighten things out away from the pool, but as Phelps reached the wall to win the 200-meter butterfly, the race that earned him his first Olympic berth 16 years ago as a 15-year old, the appreciation was sincere. I dont know if he would recognize who I am today, Phelps said of his younger self, but I definitely recognize him. That younger self is the Phelps who would readily express his joy at his craft.
Get ready for Rio with Sports Illustrateds comprehensive Olympic coverage
And the joy was back on Wednesday night, even if his fast times werent. Phelpss winning time, 1:54.84, was well off from his world record of 1:51.51, but the time appeared to be secondary. After the race, his fiance, Nicole, brought their son, Boomer, to the edge of the pool deck. Phelps planted a kiss on Boomer, whose closed eyes hinted that he was negative splitting his alertness for the rest of the meet. Those last 20 meters, Phelps said, the piano fell pretty hard.
Phelpss qualification impressed champions across the Olympic sports landscape. Wow. No words, tweeted Nastia Liukin, the Olympic all-around gymnastics champion in 2008. Congratulations, Michael Phelps on your fifth Olympic Games. What an inspiration.
Ledecky does it again
What cant Katie Ledecky do? The distance freestyle queen further cemented her claim as the best 200-meter freestyler in the land, winning that sprint race in 1:54.88 on Wednesday. Ledeckys range is astounding. Last year, she won world titles in freestyle races ranging from the 200 that many expected would give her trouble, through 1500. This year, with no 1500 on the Olympic program, shell try her hand at the 100, with prelims starting Thursday morning. She could then swim on multiple relays in Rio depending on what she can handle and what the coaching staff asks her to do. After her victory Wednesday, Ledeckys coach Bruce Gemmell, was walking with her in a hallway outside the pool and told her jokingly, Hey, the clocks ticking. I have 12 hours to teach you how to swim a hundred free.
Back to her roots: How Katie Ledecky became so dominant in the pool
Missy didn"t miss
A day after it appeared that Missy Franklins chase for another Olympics was in free fall, the four-time London gold medalist pulled behind Ledecky into second with a time of 1:56.18. The placement guaranteed her a spot in the individual 200 free and the 4x200-meter relay in Rio.
Its probably the most proud race of my career, coming back from the loss last night, Franklin said. After earning her spot, Franklin, 21, returned to her normally bubbly demeanor, hopping up and down as she watched on a monitor as Phelps won his race right after hers. This isnt the same Franklin who won two gold medals in backstroke events and two more in relays at the London Olympics. She has been beset with back ailments, and though it was admirable for to keep her collegiate eligibility for two years so she could swim at Cal, some felt that the lifestyle left her less focused on swimming than she needed to be. Its a different challenge this year, she said. Its still the same idea that I have to get every last ounce of energy out of myself. That is much more positive energy after Wednesday night.
After rehabilitation, the best of Michael Phelps may lie ahead
DiRados mighty medley
Maybe the Olympic trials crucible is easier to manage for those with a Plan B. Maya DiRado is just 23, but she plans to leave her swimming career behind her after this summer to take a job as a business analyst in the fall. But right now, Plan A is going pretty well, too. DiRado already made the team in the 400 individual medley and on Wednesday she won the 200 IM in 2:09.54, pulling away from second-place finisher Melanie Margalis in the closing freestyle leg. Margalis finished in 2:10.11 and barely edged Caitlin Leverenz for third by .05 of a second. DiRado trailed after the butterfly leg, but took a slight lead by the 100-meter mark and was in command from then on. I could kind of see where I was and obviously I was sprinting as hard as I could, she said, but its nice when you dont feel them gaining on you. Thats kind of a little bit of relief. So I just put my head down and charged home. DiRado is also the No. 2 seed in the 200 backstroke and could swim a freestyle leg in Rio, too. She wouldnt be the first swimmer here to change her mind about retiring. No, this will be it, insists DiRado, who married Stanford swimmer Rob Andrews last year, and thats why I can enjoy every minute.
40 years after gold, CaitlynJenneris comfortable in her own skin
Free Again
Some big names qualified for the mens 100-meter freestyle final on Thursday. Nathan Adrian, the defending Olympic champ in the hundred free, cruised to the evenings fastest time by winning his semifinal in 47.91 seconds, followed by Ryan Held in 48.48. Anthony Ervin qualified fifth in 48.71 and Conor Dwyer caught the last spot, placing eighth in 49.18. It has been a long road for Ervin, 35, who tied Gary Hall Jr. for Olympic gold at 50 free in 2000. He later auctioned off his gold medal to aid victims of the Asian tsunami in 2004. By making the team in London, where he placed fifth in the 50 free, Ervin achieved the rare feat of making an Olympic team in his teens and 30s, but not his 20s. With relays open to the top four swimmers (and likely the top six), Ervin has a realistic chance to get back to the Games again.
A hot affair with a crazy twist! Michael Phelps, known to the world as celebrated an Olympian, had a wild lover before he went to rehab. But his girlfriend has been hiding a shocking secret that she decided to share with the world before sharing with Michael!
Michael Phelps,29, who is expected to leave rehab this week, already has new drama to deal with: his alleged girlfriend, Taylor Lianne Chandler, was born a man. On Nov. 19. Taylor, 41, revealed that she is intersexand was originally named David Roy Fitch.
Michael Phelps Girlfriend: I Was Born With Male Genitalia With No Testicles
Michael Phelps, who entereda rehab program to get helpafter being arrested for his second DUI on Sept. 30, is making another scandalous splash! His girlfriend, Taylor Lianne Chandler, was born a man according, to her Facebook bio.
On TaylorsFacebook profile her bio reads, Taylor Lianne Chandlers life changed on September 30 when her relationship with Michael Phelps, was made public.
Taylor, who says she met Michael through the dating app, Tinder, had corrective surgery to remove her male genitaliain her twenties.
Michael PhelpsGirlfriend Taylor Lianne Chandler: 5 Things About Her
I was born with male genitalia with no testicles, but I also have a uterus and no ovaries, she explains to Radar Online.
I was never a man, never lived as a man. No one can say they knew me as a man or produce a photo of me as a man, adds Taylor in herFacebook post.
Michael Phelps Girlfriend AdmitsTo Having Amazing s*x
Regardless of the whether their relationship will sink or stay afloat, Taylorcontinues to share steamy details about their relationship with the media while also vocalizing her loveand support for for the legendaryathlete.
One thing led to the next, and we made love during halftime.Later, we had s*x again. The intimacy with him was amazing! It was the first time in my life that someone has made me feel like a true woman, reports Radar Online.
The reported Tinder touchdown apparently took place at a Baltimore Ravens Game on Sept. 21.
On Nov. 18. Taylor also took toFacebook to post a loving message and picture of Michael and a bulldog, with the caption printed, Come Visit Us. She alsowrites,My 64 Body Heater is coming home. Ive missed feeling your arms around me!
Prior to his stint in rehab, thehe 22-time Olympic medalist revealed on Oct. 5 via Twitterthat he was going to take some time away from swimming to focus on himself and to learn from his experiences.
Well, now it seems that Michael is learning a lot more than he bargained for upon his return from rehab.
Taylor, who is apparently anticipating that Michael will react negatively to her admission according to Radar Online, still remains obsessed with the Olympian.
Within seconds ofreviewing herFacebook page, it appearsthat Phelps is the main subject featured on her post and photos!
We hope the troubled swimmer doesnt regress and take a nose dive after coming so far in rehab!
HollywoodLifers what do you think!? Tell us! Will Michael be okay?
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22-time Olympic medalist is arrested on a DUI charge
A Land Rover he was driving in Baltimore was stopped for speeding
Phelps, 29, returned to swimming in April, about two years ahead of next Olympics
(CNN) -- Legendary Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was arrested early Tuesday in Maryland on a DUI charge, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority.
Phelps, known as the "Baltimore Bullet" and winner of 18 Olympic gold medals, was arrested at about 1:40 a.m. and charged with driving under the influence, excessive speed and crossing double lane lines within the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 in Baltimore, the authority said in a statement. He was later released.
Phelps, who returned to competitive swimming in April, said on his official Twitter account that he understands the severity of his actions.
"I know these words may not mean much right now but I am deeply sorry to everyone I have let down," Phelps, 29, said in a series of three tweets.
USA Swimming issued a written statement Tuesday afternoon.
"The news regarding Michael Phelps and his actions are disappointing and unquestionably serious. We expect our athletes to conduct themselves responsibly in and out of the pool," the statement said.
A Maryland Transportation Authority police officer was operating a stationary radar on southbound I-395 leaving Baltimore when a white 2014 Land Rover passed traveling at 84 mph in a 45-mph zone.
The officer followed the vehicle onto northbound I-95, through the tunnel and stopped the Land Rover just beyond the tunnel's toll plaza.
The 22-time Olympic medalist was identified as the driver by his driver's license and appeared to be under the influence, the statement said.
"He was unable to perform satisfactorily a series of standard field sobriety tests," the statement added. "Mr. Phelps was cooperative throughout the process."
Previous run-ins with the law
It was not Phelps' first DUI case.
In 2004, he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence in Salisbury, Maryland. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months probation. He also issued an apology after that incident.
In 2009, a photograph surfaced of Phelps allegedly smoking pot from a bong at a party.
"I'll make a million mistakes in my life but as long as I never make the same mistake again, then I've been able to learn and grow," Phelps told CNN in 2012. He also said that the incident made him realize who his real friends were.
After the bong incident, Phelps was suspended from competitive swimming for three months and one of his sponsors said it would not renew his contract
USA Swimming, the nation's governing body for competitive swimming, said it was withdrawing financial support for Phelps and barring him from competition during the period of his "reprimand."
Kellogg Co. said it would not renew his advertising contract.
"Michael's most recent behavior is not consistent with the image of Kellogg," company spokeswoman Susanne Norwitz said at the time.
At the time, Phelps admitted "regrettable behavior" after a British newspaper published the photograph. The tabloid News of the World showed Phelps using the bong during what it said was a November party at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Back in the water
In April, back in the pool for the first time since 2012, Phelps was close to his peerless best and raced to a second-place finish in the 100-meter butterfly final in front of a sold-out crowd at the Skyline Aquatic Center in Arizona.
Phelps retired after the 2012 Olympics and embarked on a year of travel and golfing, with little mention of a return to swimming.
But he sparked speculation about a potential comeback by re-entering the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's testing program last November -- which began a nine-month wait required before a swimmer can again compete.
When the question of a return to Olympic action arose -- with a potential fifth games in Brazil in 2016 -- Phelps would only say he is taking "one step at a time."
In August, he won five medals at his first international meet -- the Pan Pacific Championships -- since the Olympics. Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly and was on Team USA's winning 800-meter and 400-meter medley relay teams. He took silver in the 200 individual medley and 400-meter freestyle relay. He was selected as the United States Olympic Committee's male athlete of the month.
