Michael Phelps could be eyeing a new record of 10 Olympic medals
Michael Phelps swims in the 200-meter individual medley finals in March.
June 19th, 2012
01:11 PM ET

Michael Phelps could be eyeing a new record of 10 Olympic medals

Michael Phelps may be looking to one-up himself.

The decorated swimmer has entered himself into seven individual events for the USA Olympic Swimming trials, and if he manages to qualify for all of them, and participates in all three team medleys, he could set himself up to take away 10 medals in this year's London Olympics.

Perhaps Phelps is thinking there's no other way to cap his record-setting eight medals in Beijing than to go for a few more.

And it may not be a bad way to cap off his record career. After all, Phelps said in a recent interview with 60 Minutes that he was going to retire after this year's Olympics.

Of course, Phelps could also be keeping his options open. If he were to fail to qualify in one of the events, he'd have plenty of backups. And some swimmers often enter themselves into additional races only to scratch themselves from some events to focus on others. Phelps may be waiting to see what events he and his coach feel he is best suited for.

It wouldn't be a first for him to scratch a few events. During the 2008 Olympic trials he scratched himself from three events.

Phelps has signed up for the 200-meter and 400-meter individual medley, the 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly, the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle and the 200-meter backstroke during Olympics trials taking place on June 25 in Omaha, Nebraska, according to USA Swimming. Phelps is expected to be picked to be in all three men's team relay events.

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But he could also be preparing to dazzle a crowd that's used to having all eyes on him in the swimming pool during recent Olympics.

There had been many questions about just what Phelps would do during the London Olympics after he stumbled a bit after Beijing, got into some trouble, and then missed practices, his coach told 60 Minutes.

His coach, Bob Bowman, said he wasn't sure Phelps would even get to the Olympics. Bowman said despite Phelps' slow start to getting back into full training mode, he believes the icon of U.S. swimming can still nab several medals.

The question was: how many?

"I don't know," Bowman said at the time. "That's up to him."

They say you should go big or go home. And it looks like Phelps might be trying to do both. Go big, break records, and then finally go home and relax.

Read more on Phelps and the Olympics:

Michael Phelps says he will retire after London Olympics

Why U.S. must win basketball gold

Olympic champ: Why I had to quit

Bolt: 'I can break 100m world record'

Olympics 2012 brings London makeover

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Filed under: Olympics
soundoff (53 Responses)
  1. Tina

    Geezuz people! I am so sick of hearing about the pot! So a young man who has been dedicated and disciplined all his life finally gets to experience the world of other young people and experiments with pot? Why don't we burn him at the stake. Let's shun him and boycott everything he does. Why not take away his birthday for the rest of his life. Grow up!!!! Get over it!!!! I bellowing your opinion while grabbing a cold one from the frig. Alcohol is way worse than pot. And no, I am not some radical youngster. I am a 55 year-old grandmother who doesn't drink or smoke pot or use any drug. As a nation we need to quit putting our citizens in jail for pot when the stuff is more harmless than alcohol. Get off his back and SHUT UP!

    June 19, 2012 at 6:07 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Greek American

    Wow, relax grandma!

    June 19, 2012 at 9:52 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Jeebus

    Go Sports dude I have not connection to but feel compeled to cheer for as you are from the same geographic borders as myself! WooT! SpOrTs is so Neat!

    June 19, 2012 at 11:00 pm | Report abuse |
    • Rocky

      You are my hero. lol.

      June 20, 2012 at 7:17 am | Report abuse |
  4. Katniss12

    Awesome.

    June 21, 2012 at 11:13 am | Report abuse |
  5. Eddie

    "and participates in all three team medleys" is incorrect.

    There are three *relays* each for men and women. ONE of them is a medley, the other are freestyle relays.

    June 21, 2012 at 3:14 pm | Report abuse |
  6. WVU

    Come on people a little weed never hurt no one...he may even do better to prive a point, GO MIKE GO!!! USA!!

    June 21, 2012 at 3:16 pm | Report abuse |
  7. Blacky

    Good I hope he win them all

    June 22, 2012 at 9:31 am | Report abuse |
  8. Afro Zombie Race War

    Super Mondo Bong Hits

    June 26, 2012 at 5:24 pm | Report abuse |
  9. NEW WORLD TRADE CENTER

    "I can only swim when I am high as a kite" – Phelps, Dade County Water District 11, April, 2010

    June 26, 2012 at 5:36 pm | Report abuse |
  10. icons pack

    It is remarkable, very good message

    October 4, 2012 at 6:59 pm | Report abuse |
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