Swimming: Phelps trailing

Olympian fails to qualify after returning to old-style swimsuit

Last updated: 10th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

<b>Swimming:</b> Phelps trailing

Phelps: Left trailing

Michael Phelps failed to qualify for the 100m freestyle final at a World Cup short-course meeting in Stockholm on Tuesday.

The American trailed home in 16th place in qualifying after opting to wear an old-style swimsuit that will become the standard once again from January 1.

Until then swimmers can choose either to stick with the bodysuits which sparked an avalanche of world records at the World Championships in Rome or switch back to more conventional attire.

Phelps, who won an unprecedented eight gold medals at last year's Beijing Olympics, was competing for the first time since Rome and confessed before the race he was not in the best shape.

He clocked 47.77secs - well adrift of Stefan Nystrand of Sweden who qualified fastest in a time of 45.93 - in his first short-course event since 2006.

Phelps is entered for five races in Sweden and will go on to compete in Berlin at the weekend.