Phelps is slowest qualifier in 400 IM heats

Michael Phelps qualified eighth-fastest in the 400-meter individual medley preliminaries on Saturday, grabbing the last spot in the evening final.

Michael Phelps qualified eighth-fastest in the 400-meter individual medley preliminaries on Saturday, grabbing the last spot in the evening final.

US-swimmer-Michael-Phelps-looks-on-after-competing-in-the-men-s-400m-individual-medley-heats-swimming-event-at-the-London-2012-Olympic-Games-in-London-AFP-Martin-Bureau

The two-time defending Olympic champion won his heat in 4 minutes, 13.33 seconds with a time that was well off his world record of 4:03.84 set four years ago in Beijing when Phelps won a record eight gold medals.

Kosuke Hagino of Japan led the way in 4:10.01. Chad le Clos of South Africa was second at 4:12.24. American Ryan Lochte advanced in third at 4:12.35.

Laszlo Cseh of Hungary, the silver medalist in Beijing, was ninth and missed the final by one spot.