Phelps to swim 400m medley at US trials

OMAHA: Michael Phelps dropped one veil on Sunday, confirming his entry in the 400m individual medley at the US Olympic swimming trials. Phelps, winner of the punishing event at the past two Olympics, had vowed after the 2008 Beijing Games that he wouldn’t swim it again in major competition. Even after his early entry in the event, he had indicated he might scratch. Instead, the deadline to pull out passed on Sunday with Phelps still slated for an intriguing match-up against Ryan Lochte in the first event of the eight-day meeting on Monday. If he qualifies to race the 400m medley in London,

Lochte settled for bronze in Beijing behind Phelps and Hungarian Laszlo Cseh, but claimed the world title in Shanghai last year ahead of teammate Tyler Clary. Phelps had been reconsidering his no-400 medley policy after some solid Grand Prix swims this season, and Lochte said he welcomed the chance to take on the Olympic superstar. “I love racing against him,” Lochte said. “He’s one of the hardest racers in the world. He’ll go toe-to-toe with you until the end. That’s excitement for me. I really hope he does swim that.” Phelps is entered in seven events at the eight-day trials, where the top two finishers in each event book an Olympic place. That raises the prospect he could vie for 10 medals in London, Phelps and coach Bob Bowman have been cagey about just which events he’ll swim and what his goals are for his last Olympics. Phelps said former US teammate Erik Vendt had likened his London campaign to putting the topping on an ice cream sundae. afp