Phelps and the 400 I.M.: Meant For Each Other?

Column by John Lohn, Swimming World Magazine senior writer

CRANBURY, New Jersey, January 18. HE was matter-of-fact about it in Beijing a little more than a year ago. Following his opening gold medal of the 2008 Olympics, Michael Phelps declared he was done with the 400 individual medley. The event would be stricken from any future agendas, Mr. Olympia firm in his decision.

Even Bob Bowman, the man who molded Phelps into the greatest Olympian in history, seemed resigned to the notion that his protégé was done with – arguably – the most grueling event in the sport. Bowman suggested he would like to see Phelps again dabble in the 400 I.M. in major competition, but the coach wouldn't have been surprised if a lottery win came first.

This weekend, at the Southern California Grand Prix, there was a slight hint that Phelps may be reconsidering any future involvement in the 400 I.M. As part of his weekend slate, Phelps captured first place ahead of Japan's Hidemasa Sano in the distance medley. Of course, the race was contested in a short-course format and might just be part of Bowman's latest master plan, designed to have Phelps peak for the London Olympics in 2012.

Still, it's worth hoping that Phelps isn't done with one of the events that first made him a global star, and for a handful of reasons. First, if the 2012 Games serve as Phelps' Olympic finale – and that's what he has stated – jumpstarting the competition with another gold medal would be a great way to ignite his farewell tour and his surge toward 20 career gold medals. With 14 gold medals between the 2004 and 2008 Games, Phelps is within striking distance of reaching a plateau that never before seemed fathomable. Then again, winning 14 gold medals, as he's already done, once seemed far-fetched, too.

Second, Phelps has the chance to make history in the 400 I.M. by becoming the first man in Olympic lore to win an event in three consecutive Olympiads He also has that opportunity, if he desires, in the 100 butterfly, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley. In the longer medley, Phelps is currently one of three men to have won the event in back-to-back Olympics, along with Hungary's Tamas Darnyi (1988/1992) and the United States' Tom Dolan (1996/2000).

For the record, American backstroke sensation Aaron Peirsol (100 back) and Japanese breaststroke star Kosuke Kitajima (100 breast/200 breast) also can complete three-peats in London. Meanwhile, Peirsol has a chance to medal in the 200 backstroke in four consecutive Olympiads, as he won the title in 2004 and was the silver medalist in 2000 and 2008.

A third reason to hope for Phelps' continued involvement in the 400 I.M. is fairly simple: To see the best the sport has known compete over 100 meters of all four strokes, the truest test of who is the best all-around performer in the water. While Phelps has nothing to prove from here forward, his presence in "the decathlon of swimming" would be more than welcomed.

Finally, if Phelps opts to return to the 400 medley, it could lead to another duel with American teammate Ryan Lochte or Hungarian Laszlo Cseh at either the World Championships or the Olympics. Those three men accounted for the medals at the Beijing Games and each has won a world championship. Bringing that kind of star power together would mark another great moment for swimming.

Only time will tell if Phelps will venture into the 400 individual medley at the international level once again. But the fact that he raced the event over the weekend, and earlier this winter at his home pool, provides a glimmer of hope that he's not done.

Writer's Note: Want to take a moment to clear up a bit of confusion from my last column. While I have left the newspaper business, which gave me my introduction to this wonderful sport, I'm not going anywhere when it comes to Swimming World. I look forward to the future of the sport, and covering its great athletes – young and veteran.

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