Incredible admission: Phelps human

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BEIJING -- Responding to other swimmers who have claimed that Michael Phelps is otherworldly, Bob Bowman, who coaches the Baltimore AquaMan, said, ‘I’ve seen his earthly side; I guarantee he’s human.’’

To back up his contention, Bowman talked about Phelps’ morning Thursday.

‘Today, we had breakfast at 8. We usually have breakfast at 7, but this morning it was at 8. Before that, he usually takes a shower, so at 7:30 he was up and showered. We went at 8 for breakfast. At 8:30, we were on a bus to (the Water Cube).

‘Then we did some stretching and warm-ups for 30 or 40 minutes. Then he puts on his suit and does more warm-ups. Then he swims. After that, he has lactose testing to make sure everything’s in order. Today, he had a massage. Normally, he has [drug testing], but he didn’t today. He always has a massage. Then he’ll eat, take a nap and then come back on the bus and do it all again, usually twice a day ...’’

ZZzzzzzzzz.

-- Randy Harvey