ATHENS, Greece (AP) - It looks as if Michael Phelps will get what he wants: a chance to swim eight Olympic races.The U.S. coaching staff has decided to have Phelps swim the final of the 400-meter freestyle relay Sunday, even though he didn't take part in the 100 free at the Olympic trials last month, which usually decides the pool of relay swimmers.
American sprint star Gary Hall Jr. revealed the decision after a workout this morning at the Olympic pool, on the eve of the first day of competition. He said he was told by men's coach Eddie Reese that the preliminary team would consist of Hall, Nate Dusing, Neil Walker and Gabe Woodward.
Phelps, Jason Lezak and Ian Crocker would be saved for the more desirable evening swim.There is one caveat that could alter the makeup of the team. According to Hall, the coaches told the four morning swimmers that they would bump Phelps from the final if two of them swam faster than 48.4 seconds during their prelim legs.
That seems unlikely.
Hall, one of America's most decorated sprinters with eight medals at the last two Olympics, has a personal best of 48.81. Walker's top time in the 100 is 48.55, while neither Woodward nor Dusing has ever broken 49 seconds.
If form holds, Phelps will likely get eight chances to tie or beat Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals at the 1972 Munich Games. Phelps is assured of swimming five individual events and the 800 free relay, and almost certainly will get at least a morning swim in the 400 medley relay - with a chance to earn his way into the final if he can beat rival Crocker in the 100 butterfly.
All swimmers who take part in a relay - either the preliminaries or final - receive a medal if their team finishes on the podium.
Phelps is the only member of the relay pool who didn't take part in the 100 free at the U.S. Olympic trials. But the coaches said he earned consideration with a time of 49.05 at the Spring Nationals in February - seventh-fastest in the world this year.
Hall was a little perturbed by the whole situation, saying Phelps was getting special treatment.
"There were no exceptions for anyone else," Hall said. "No one qualified for the Olympic team in February except Michael Phelps."
Hall said Reese was under intense pressure to get Phelps into as many races as possible since he's being touted as potentially the biggest star of the Athens Games.
"If the rules applied to everyone, I would understand," Hall said. "I think it's unfair to put the pressure of Michael Phelps' seven-gold-medal hunt on the shoulders of the coach. There's so much pressure on him from USA Swimming and the media."
Reese was not immediately available for comment. He said earlier in the week that he has decided on just one swimmer who would definitely take part in the final of the 400 free relay, but had made it clear since the trials that Phelps would receive strong consideration.
Phelps will begin his quest to break Spitz's record on Saturday in the 400 individual medley. He is overwhelming favorite, breaking his own world record at the Olympic trials with a time that is nearly four seconds faster than anyone else in the world this year.
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