Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman “Experimenting” With Races in Santa Clara

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SANTA CLARA, California, June 19. AS he has before every Arena Grand Prix meet that he’s competed in this year, Michael Phelps held a press conference to talk about the goals, expectations and concerns that lie ahead.

Phelps is entered in four events in the meet, and based on comments he and coach Bob Bowman made, Phelps will swim the 100 free, 200 free, 100 fly and 200 IM.

“We’re just kind of experimenting,” Bowman said.

Watch video of the press conference below.

Phelps made an amusing comment in the press conference that alluded to his return to the sport more than a year after the 2012 Olympics, saying that swimming is where he belongs most.

“It’s been a part of my whole entire life,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back in the pool, whether it’s competing or just working out for exercise. As much as I say I can’t wait to be done and can’t wait to be out of the pool, I think that’s just a lie. As much as I try to stay away from the sport as long as I can, something keeps drawing me back to the water.”

Bowman also gave more insight into the elite training group at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club, which just completed a rigorous month-long training session.

“I don’t know that it’s changed what he does,” Bowman said of Phelps’ training. “Probably how he does it has changed because there’s more competition. And there’s certainly more energy on a daily basis to go much faster. It has its pluses and minuses.”

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