Two records later, Phelps 're-excited'

August 22, 2006

Look out, Ian Thorpe and Pieter van den Hoogenband. Michael Phelps can't wait to race you at next year's world championships.

The swimming star from Rodgers Forge set two world records for the first time in three years in his signature events at the Pan Pacific Championships in Victoria, British Columbia, and he's feeling newly invigorated halfway to the Beijing Olympics.

"It was a big thing for me to get re-excited to swim, re-excited to train, and [the world records] are because of that," he said.

What a difference a year makes.

Last summer, Phelps was admittedly humbled by his performance at the world meet in Montreal, where he failed to set a world record, didn't qualify for the final of one event and was soundly beaten in a matchup with butterfly rival Ian Crocker.

In Victoria, he lowered his world marks in the 200-meter individual medley and 200 butterfly, and led off the world-record-setting 400 freestyle relay.

"It's pretty much the first meet where I have been happy coming off of last summer," he said.

Bob Bowman, his coach, notices the difference in the 21-year-old, too.

"A big turnaround in attitude, in fitness, and just excitement about doing this," he said. "We now have a feel for where he is, which is somewhat near his top level. Maybe not his 100 percent, but in the high 90s."

Phelps' only defeat in Victoria was a big one - by 2.37 seconds to teammate Aaron Peirsol in the 200 backstroke. Phelps said he is undecided about swimming that event next year.

He had to come from behind in the 200 IM to beat teammate Ryan Lochte by 0.27 of a second.

"The race was, individually, one of the best races I've been part of," Phelps said. "I don't want to lose, especially in the 200 IM."

He is also the world's top-ranked swimmer in the 100 fly and 200 free - in which he could face van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands and Thorpe next March at the world championships on Thorpe's home turf in Melbourne.

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Two records later, Phelps 're-excited'

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Two records later, Phelps 're-excited'

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