Phelps misses 2 of 3 finals at World Cup meet

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

United States swimmer Michael Phelps swims during a training session at Eriksdalsbadet arena in Stockholm, Sweden, Monday Nov. 9, 2009, ahead of the Swimming World Cup starting Tuesday. (AP Photo/Scanpix/Fredrik Sandberg)

By MALIN RISING
STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Wearing an old-style swimsuit, Michael Phelps missed out on two finals and barely qualified for a third Tuesday at a World Cup short-course meet.

Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, failed to qualify for the finals of the 100-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke. He qualified in the 100 medley, finishing seventh in 53.13 seconds _ more than half a second slower than fastest qualifier Darian Townsend of South Africa.

Jing Zhao of China set a world record in the women's 50 backstroke in 26.08. She beat the previous world record of 26.17, set by Marieke Guehrer of Australia four days ago in Moscow.

Phelps, competing for the first time since the world championships in August, was sporting a beard and swimming in the old-style swimsuit that will become the standard next year. Most other swimmers used faster high-tech suits.

The 24-year-old finished 16th in qualifying for the 100 freestyle in 47.77 seconds. Eight swimmers advanced to the final, with Stefan Nystrand of Sweden recording the fastest qualifying time of 45.93. In the 100 backstroke, Phelps was disqualified. The referee didn't immediately specify why.

Phelps did not compete in either of those two events in a full length pool in Beijing, when he broke Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals won at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

His coach, Bob Bowman, said Monday he wants Phelps to use the old-style suit in the lead-up to the U.S. national championships next year.

Phelps said before the meet that he was not "in the best shape" but wanted to use the competition in Stockholm to test his form and the old-style swimsuit.

On Wednesday, Phelps will swim in the 100 butterfly and 200 medley heats.