Olympics: Phelps already eyeing more gold in London

Monday, 25 August 2008

LONDON - US swimming sensation Michael Phelps warned on Sunday that he is already eyeing more gold at the London Games in 2012.

Phelps became the most decorated medallist in Olympic history with 14 gold medals from Beijing and Athens, including a record eight gold in China, the most by an athlete at any single Games.

But rather than sitting back and enjoying his achievements, the 23-year-old from Baltimore is already preparing himself for the challenge of the London Games in four years' time.

And after arriving in London for the Olympic handover party he explained how he was hoping to take his swimming skills to another level, including tackling new events such as the backstroke.

"Olympic athletes dream of being part of the Olympics every four years," he said. "Right after the Olympics are over, our mindset is already focused on the next four years and what we can do to change how we prepare and try some new things and that's something I'm looking forward to now.

"I still have things that I want to do in the sport, I've never competed over here in London and I'm looking forward to really experiencing more of the city and be able to prepare myself to hopefully swim some fast times.

"I've no idea what I'm really going to do but I'm looking forward to trying some new events and swimming some events that I haven't really had the opportunity to swim since my schedule is always so crowded," said Phelps.

"I've never really swum the backstroke or the 100m freestyle at a major international competition so Bob (Bowman), my coach, is going to throw everything he has ever done coaching me out of the door and try something completely different just to see how it works.

"No breaststroke, no distance swimming, no open water - at least those guys will still be my friends," said Phelps.

"I'm excited for the next four years and today is the kick-off for the next four years.

"We are just trying a bunch of new things and if it's successful then great and if not then we can go back to what we were doing.

"But I'm looking forward to having some changes because the last 10 or 15 years have been the same thing the whole time.

"I've got some pretty lofty dreams in my head and those goals are going to stay there until they are accomplished," said the American.

But Phelps accepts he faces even tougher challenges to stay at the top of his sport after his outstanding performances in Beijing.

"This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done, to be able to swim 17 times and make sure that I have to be ready to swim at my beat in every one of those races because I'm competing against people who are focusing just on that one race.

"I know that it's not going to be easy getting there and there are going to be some bumps in the road here and there - but everybody has bumps in the road and it really just depends on how you get over those and make sure it doesn't happen again.

"I don't think it's going to be perfect but it's going to be fun over the next few years while I finish off my career," claimed Phelps, who is adamant London will be his last Olympics.

"I told myself I would never compete past the age of 30.

"I started swimming when I was seven and I told my coach I'm not swimming past the age of 30 so don't get any ideas.

"He said 'That's good because I don't want to coach you past the age of 30'.

"Bob and I have had a great relationship and I wouldn't trade him for the world so I'm happy that he's willing to put up with me for four more years."