Swimming World Most-Read Article of 2021: Michael Phelps Analyzes 200 IM of Michael Andrew
Over the past 12 months, plenty of stories on the Swimming World website attracted above-average readership. And while he has been out of the sport as a competitor for five years, it is obvious that 28-time Olympic medalist Michael Phelps remains the sport’s measuring stick when it comes to demanding an audience.
When the United States Olympic Trials were held over the summer, Phelps was in Omaha as an ambassador, spectator and commentator. For someone who has always been in tune with developments in the pool, it was not surprising that Phelps possessed thoughts on the action unfolding in front of him. That analysis included a breakdown of Michael Andrew in the 200-meter individual medley.
In dominant fashion, Andrew prevailed in the 200 medley at Trials. But the manner of his swims raised question marks, as Andrew was under world-record pace through 150 meters, only to fall apart on the freestyle leg. In domestic waters, Andrew’s freestyle struggles didn’t hurt him. Yet, at the Olympic Games, his inability to produce a strong finish left the American off the medals podium.
Having won the 200 medley at four consecutive Olympics (2004-2016), Phelps knows a bit about the event and the work required to excel over all four laps. In Andrew’s performances, Phelps saw a problem with his training, and expressed his thoughts in an interview with Swimming World. The analysis proved to be the most-read article of the year.
“I just think to swim a good 200, you have to train for the 400. To swim a good 100, you have to train for a 200. So when you see somebody who has an amazing 150 and their stroke—I say ‘fall apart’ in the nicest way possible at the end of the race. I know how it feels,” Phelps said.
“When you’re slipping water like that, I feel like that’s a training error. You’re not giving yourself that chance to have repetitions in training that you’re going to feel the last 25 meters. If he finishes in 28-anything, he’s going to break the world record. His breaststroke was 32.1. Are you (kidding) me?”
Here is the full article.