Pan Pacific swimming review and the future of Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Tyler Clary
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Michael Phelps, understandably, was not pleased with the way the last month unfolded.
The post-nationals, post-Pan Pacific verdict? Frustration.
“I really haven’t had too many meets where I’ve gone into a meet and not been satisfied,” he said in the mixed zone to reporters after his final race, the medley relay, on Saturday night in Irvine.
“When you don’t have a meet where everything goes your way, it’s not fun. It’s frustrating, annoying. ... If you make decisions, you have to be able to pay the consequences. I’ve done that. It’s time to change. It’s time to start moving forward.”
Presumably, this is music to coach Bob Bowman’s ears.
“I think I have a clear picture of where he’s at and what we need to do to be ready for the World Championships next summer,” Bowman said. “Pretty close to what I thought. So it makes me feel like I have a handle on it.”
This is setting up to be a fascinating battle among Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Tyler Clary in the medley events in the next two years. Lochte, who won six gold medals at the Pan Pacs, had a funny quote about Clary, saying: ‘Man, he’s like never going away.’
In fact, Clary is staying put with coach Jon Urbanchek in Fullerton and won’t be going back to the University of Michigan for his senior year, Urbanchek said on Sunday.
“He’s not afraid to take on the best,” Urbanchek said. “A lot of kids would not do it. That is a toughness in him. That’s what I admire the most. He’s not afraid to take on the best.
“Whatever happens from now on, between now and London, it depends on how much he wants to work. Another thing about Tyler is that he’s probably going to be around for four more years. I think he’ll be ready to continue on all the way to Rio. If Michael decides to retire after London, I think Tyler is going to be right there with Ryan. I think it’s awesome.”
-- Lisa Dillman
