OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Michael Phelps could have a showdown with rival Ryan Lochte on the very first day of the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.
USA Swimming announced Sunday that Phelps passed on the deadline to scratch from the 400-meter individual medley, meaning the winningest Olympian ever will at least swim the preliminary round Monday morning. Should he qualify for the evening final and decide to race, he could be pitted against Lochte and Tyler Clary, who went 1-2 in the event at last year's world championships.
Phelps won the 400 IM at the last two Olympics, but vowed after Beijing to give up the grueling event that requires all four strokes. He had a change of heart, putting the race back in his program at several Grand Prix meets leading up to Omaha.


