Phelps is not the best now, says coach
Published:Wednesday | September 15, 2010 | 12:00 AM
HUNT VALLEY, Maryland (AP):
The long-time coach of Michael Phelps acknowledged on Monday that the 14-time Olympic gold medallist currently is not the finest swimmer in the world.
Bob Bowman said Ryan Lochte deserves that distinction.
Lochte beat Phelps in the 200 individual medley and 200 backstroke finals at the U.S. national championships last month, then won six gold medals to Phelps' five at the Pan Pacific championships.
"Obviously, Ryan Lochte is the best swimmer in the world this year. No question," Bowman said. "That will be a huge challenge for Michael going forward, hopefully a motivator."
On those rare occasions when Phelps loses, he does not take it well.
"I think one of the biggest things that motivates me now is having that summer that I had - not being able to compete at the level that I want and having other people competing better than me," Phelps said. "It's frustrating, but I really think that's going to play a big role over the next two years to keep me being in the best shape.
"That's one thing I absolutely hate - coming away from a meet really disappointed."
Regardless of his expectations, which were not all that high at the Pan Pacific championships.
"Some of the things that happened at Pan Pacs were frustrating, but at the same time I knew it was going to happen," the 25-year-old Phelps said. "I expected that to happen. I wasn't expecting to go out and do my best time. I was hoping, but I gave everything I could and I think that's all that matters."
The goal for Phelps is to be the best in the world at the 2012 London Olympics. That is when he will try to come up with a suitable encore for his record-shattering performance at the 2008 Games in Beijing, where he won eight gold medals.
"The only meet that matters to Michael is in London," Bowman said.
Phelps' next important foray into the pool will come in 2011, at the World Championships. But even that prestigious meet will be nothing more than another step in his quest to excel at the next Olympics.