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Michael Phelps ready to reclaim that lost butterfly gold
The Rio Olympics may be a swansong for Michael Phelps but the American swimming great is showing no signs of going gentle into the night.
The Rio Olympics may be a swansong for Michael Phelps but the American swimming great is showing no signs of going gentle into the night.
On Monday, the 31-year-old proved he is in fighting form for his 200 metres butterfly rematch with Chad le Clos, the South African who four years ago denied him a third consecutive gold medal in the event.
World and Olympic record holder Phelps led throughout most of Monday’s semi-final before being pipped in the last 25 metres by Tamas Kenderesi of Hungary, who finished 0.16 ahead of the American.
Le Clos finished fourth, more than a second behind Phelps, though he had raced in the 200 freestyle final a short time before and won silver.
Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, retired after 2012 but got back into the game two years later.
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There have been question marks over his character after he was photographed with a marijuana pipe in 2009 and pleaded guilty to a drunk driving charge in 2014, his second offense in 10 years.
He got off to a good start in Rio, winning his 19th gold on Sunday night in the 4x100 freestyle. Phelps said he was fighting aches and a tight turnaround between the late-night race and the butterfly qualifying heats on Monday.
To deal with the pain he turned again to cupping, a Chinese healing technique, that has left his upper body full of purple bruises, much commented on social media. He also said he thought he could do well on Monday after a quick nap.
It appeared to have worked out just as he planned.
“Getting a two-hour nap at home felt amazing,” said Phelps. “Should be a fun race tomorrow.”
Le Clos, who beat Phelps by 0.05 seconds in 2012, is relishing the rematch in Rio.
“I am excited. Been excited for a very long time, very, very excited,” Le Clos said.
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