Phelps sluggish again in Stockholm
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 | 4:11 PM ET
The Associated Press
Michael Phelps catches his breath after the 200 medley in Stockholm. (Fredrik Sandberg/Scanpix Sweden/Associated Press)Michael Phelps finished second in the 200-metre medley final at the short-course World Cup in Stockholm on Wednesday, struggling in the old-style swimsuit that will become standard next year.
Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, clocked one minute 53.93 seconds. He was more than two seconds behind South Africa's Darian Townsend, who won in 1:51.79.
"I'm swimming OK," Phelps said, adding his time "wasn't bad."
"I haven't practiced regularly."
Earlier, Phelps failed to qualify for the 100 butterfly final after finishing 11th in qualifying heats in 51.06 seconds. Kaio Almeida of Brazil was fastest in 50.34.
It was the third final that Phelps missed at the meet. On Tuesday he failed to qualify for the finals of the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke, in which he was disqualified for swimming too long underwater.
Phelps is competing for the first time since the world championships in August. His coach, Bob Bowman, has said he wants Phelps to use the old-style suit in the lead-up to the U.S. championships next year.
