All eyes set on Phelps at swimming worlds

Swim fans hoping to see Michael Phelps attempt another unprecedented podium haul will have to set their sights a little lower.

The American star, who broke compatriot Mark Spitz's 36-year-old mark by winning a remarkable eight gold medals during last year's Beijing Olympics, doesn't plan the same ambitious run at the world aquatics championships in Rome.

Still, there is enough of Phelps to go around.

"Don't expect to see another Beijing, but expect a dominant performance nonetheless," CBC Sports swim analyst Byron MacDonald told CBCSports.ca.

The swimming competition, beginning Sunday, July 26, will see Phelps only take part in individual events — 100 and 200-metre butterfly and 200 freestyle — where he's heavily favoured.

Dubbed the Baltimore bullet, Phelps will also compete in the all three relay events — 4x100 and 4x200 freestyle, along with the 4x100 medley relay — giving him the opportunity at yet another gold rush.

After serving a three-month suspension following the publication of a picture apparently showing Phelps using marijuana, the Olympic champion was understandably rusty in losing some races during his return in May, including the 100 freestyle to Canadian Brent Hayden last month.

Phelps, however, came back with a vengeance in the recently completely U.S. trials by smashing the 100 butterfly world record (50.22 seconds) set by fellow American Ian Crocker (50.40) six years ago.

"He's basically staying with the three races that are gimmes," said MacDonald. "He's the world-record holder in the 100 butterfly, has owned the 200 butterfly for years and there really hasn't been anybody close to him in the 200 freestyle."

There is one caveat that MacDonald feels could be an issue for Phelps, who still sports Speedo's Lazer swimsuit.

An Italian manufacturing company designed a suit made completely out of polyurethane, a rubberized material approved by swimming's governing body FINA in January.

Phelps is expected to stay with Speedo, which has developed a similar suit but has yet to launch its new product.

"If Phelps stays with the Speedo, his 100 bufferfly competitors like [Serbian Milorad] Cavic will be gaining three to five/10ths of a second on him, and that may be the difference between the gold and silver."

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